About Us

     In 2004, Vince and Cherie Rose moved to Belize where they started the first crocodile research facility in Punta Gorda, where they established ACES - American Crocodile Education Sanctuary. They worked in partnership with the Belize Forestry Department to respond to crocodile conflict and study the Morelet's Crocodile and American Crocodile populations. Tragedy struck in 2010 at their property and home, burned to the ground after a claim was made by villagers that they were responsible for two missing children. After this horrifying event took place, ACES reestablished themselves on Ambergris Caye, where they joined their young protégé, Chris Summers.

     Chris worked tirelessly, learning everything he could from his mentors over the few years together. He sought to find places to provide sanctuary for the crocodiles of Ambergris Caye, educate in classrooms, and risked life and limb in hazardous conditions to rescue and relocate crocs who found themselves under homes or in yards. His compassion was not only for the animals, but the people, their families and their safety.

     In 2014, The Roses returned to the US, passing the mantle of ACES to Chris, who continued their work, building sanctuary ponds to care for crocs in need on his grandmother's property. Chris continued this work for many years, eventually joined by Christina Manzi as a volunteer in 2016, who became the love of his life and made her big move to join him in Belize. 

      This began the journey of Aces Wildlife Rescue. Calls began to come in for wildlife in need, other than crocodiles. Chris and Christina knew they had to respond and meet that need. Through endless hours of work, while running the organization, Aces Wildlife Rescue was founded by Chris and Christina as a non-profit with a whole new vision. Ben and Rae Sept, and kids, joined them at the beginning of this venture, every step of the way as their sidekicks, partners, and friends. Over the following years, Aces Wildlife Rescue evolved into one of the busiest wildlife rescues in country, with intakes and calls to the hotline increasing each year. The clinic was in full swing, enclosures built and more volunteers joined the team. 

     Tragedy struck again in 2024, with the loss of Chris Summers, bringing our organization to it's knees, unsure if we could keep going. Our team has persevered, still responding to calls from the community and providing care and support to the wildlife in need.

     We now welcome the next chapter of Aces Wildlife Rescue with the hiring of Ciaran O'Mordha as the new Executive Director. Ciaran has worked with Aces Wildlife Rescue as an intern in 2018, and again for his thesis in 2023, under Chris Summers. We are very excited to see what the future holds for our organization, our community and our wildlife. 

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