Apolonio Mai was born on January 24, 1980 in a remote little Mayan village named Creque Jute (STREAM of Snails) situated in the Toledo district of Belize. Apolonio lived here for a number of years and later lived in the Belize and Cayo districts where his father worked.
As a young boy he had the opportunity to grow up in a pristine and beautiful environment. Often he would embark on long expeditions into the forest and mountains to witness wild animals and plants for him self. As he grew older, so did his interest in the environment so naturally he pursued his studies in Natural Resources Management and later earned a degree in Biology in 2002 from the University of Belize. After completing his studies he worked in several management and teaching positions never developing any real interest in one particular job for his heart and soul was set on being in the wild.
In March of 2006 Apolonio acquired a position in his field of studies. The International Tropical Conservation Foundation base in Switzerland offered him a managerial position as Operations Field Manager to manage a very remote nature reserve (Shipstern Nature Reserve) in the Corozal district where he worked and lived for one year. This was where Apolonio first came in contact with a digital camera and where he developed his passion in nature photography. While working in the fields patrolling and photographing the animals, plants and landscape of the Shipstern reserve he realized that a camera is a very powerful tool than can used to show Belizeans how blessed we are with abundant natural and biological resources; hopefully developing in them an appreciation, better understanding and love for the environment through photography.
Apolonio purchased his own equipment with the assistance from a sponsor in the United States who supports and encourages him in his efforts. He later left the beautiful Shipstern nature reserve he called home for one year to pursue his passion and to photograph his beloved Toledo District. Apolonio presently teaches chemistry and Integrated science at the Independence high school in Mango Creek.
