Rupununi Wetlands

The Rupununi Wetlands, just southeast of the Iwokrama Forest, includes the Rupununi, Rewa, and Essequibo Rivers, and many other smaller rivers, creeks and ponds. These wetlands contain high habitat diversity and supporting a vast array of wildlife.

Although only a small portion of the area has been surveyed, over 400 species of fish have been identified. This has led to estimates of up to 600 species for the area; remarkably high compared to other South American wetlands. For example, the Pantanal has 260 fish species but is about 15 times larger than the Rupununi Wetlands.

The high fish species richness results, in part, from seasonal flooding that links the Amazon basin to the flooded Rupununi Savannahs. The Rupununi Savannahs and mountain streams of the Pakaraima foothills are also major fish-breeding and feeding grounds during the high water period.

The Rupununi Wetlands, like the Iwokrama Forest, are also home to healthy populations of rare and endangered giants including Giant River Turtles, Black Caiman, Arapaima, Giant Otters, and of course, water-loving Jaguars.