Press Release 24 August 2004

North Rupununi Youth Wildlife Clubs’ Festival a Success

Annai, Region 9 - The 4th Annual Wildlife Festival ended on August 22, 2004 at Bina Hill Institute, Annai in the North Rupununi, and the event was deemed a great success by all those involved. The theme of the festival was " Our Environment, Our Home, Our Business ". Key objectives of the event were to raise awareness about wise natural resource use and spread the conservation message to Guyana and the world.

Special guests helped the Wildlife Clubs achieve its objective of sharing local conservation with national and international audiences. The Honourable Mr. Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce, expressed his support as he welcomed event participants during the opening ceremony. The reigning Ms. Guyana World, Suzette Shim, also joined the festivities and was obviously impressed by the Wildlife Clubs' talents as demonstrated through their presentations. Also on hand to share her views was Director of Education for the Jacksonville Zoo of Florida, Ms. Kelliann Whitney; "I am very proud to represent Jacksonville Zoo at the festival this year. The Zoo is pleased to continue as an active, hands-on supporter and promoter of the work of the Wildlife Clubs and the conservation efforts in Iwokrama and the North Rupununi."

Over 200 young people attended the three-day festival with an agenda designed by the North Rupununi Wildlife Clubs. Participants came from Annai, Apoteri, Aranaputa, Toka, Kwaimatta, Crash Water, Rewa, Yakarinta, Rupertee, Kwatamang, Wowetta, Surama, and Fair View. Participants also came from the distant communities of Bartica, Santa Rosa, Nappi and St. Ignatius; they attended through generous travel assistance from Intraserv Bus Service and Conservation International.

The first day began with a parade of costumed club members who carried banners and displays reflecting the festival theme, followed by the opening ceremony, and art and poetry contests. Wildlife Clubs later reported on past and upcoming activities. Then Ms. Whitney made a presentation on Jacksonville Zoo's exhibit, "Range of the Jaguar", which has live animals such as Jaguars and Giant Anteaters, and teaches visitors about life and conservation in Iwokrama and the North Rupununi . The afternoon closed with a video from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce that documented the ascent of Mt. Roraima.

On day two there were games for those under age 11 and workshops for those 12 years and older. The workshops focused on communication skills and learning how to recognise and seek help from domestic violence or sexual abuse. After an afternoon game of football, clubs presented skits on a variety of topics.

Participants from outside the local area set the pace for day three with an early morning hike up Rupertee Mountain, led by local guides from the Rupertee Tourism Committee. From the summit they all got a Harpy Eagle's view over the savannahs of the North Rupununi and bathed in a spring-fed pool. Meanwhile, the other clubs engaged in competitions highlighting cotton weaving and archery. These competitions were judged by local experts in these skills: Dan Allicock and members of the Makushi Research Unit.

The event was facilitated by the North Rupununi Junior Wildlife Development Council (NRJWDC), Bina Hill Institute, and Iwokrama. Prizes were awarded to first, second, and third place competition winners; tote bags, donated by Jacksonville Zoo, Iwokrama, WWF, and Audubon were given to all participants. These organizations are among the many festival donors to which the Wildlife Clubs are sincerely grateful.