Dear Editor,
That we must protect and show appreciation for our rich natural heritage was a view supported by Mr Gavin Kennard (1920-2007).
Last year during the wildlife trade controversy, I had written (KN, Feb 11 and 14, 2006 and SN, Feb 14 and 25, 2006) about the wildlife and the wildlife trade in Guyana. I made an awful mistake; I had mentioned that I was the recipient of the kindness and vision with regards to environmental concerns of the late Mr Gavin Kennard, then Minister of Agriculture (1974-1980), in 1976.
Recently, I received a note from Ms Greta Kennard-Kornet expressing her appreciation for the kind compliments about her father (Mr Gavin Kennard); she also pointed out that her father, though very unwell, was still alive. The family resides in the Greater Toronto area, Ontario, Canada. I humbly apologised to the family for my error and any harm caused. The family with great class very graciously accepted my apologies and explanation.
I had intended to do a tribute to Mr Gavin Kennard as the first government minister in the history of independent Guyana who thought that young people should be encouraged (irrespective of politics) to be concerned about our environment and its wildlife in Guyana. In order to refresh your memories this is what I wrote in one letter titled:
We must show an appreciation and protection of our rich natural heritage
“While working at New Amsterdam Multilateral High School as a science teacher, there was a news report (1976) of two shipments of monkeys (about 70) from Guyana who died at Heathrow, London Airport. They were transported so poorly that the animals died in transit, and/or while awaiting processing in stressful conditions (cold, no food or water.)
“I mentioned these incidents in my science classes. I then wrote to the Hon Mr Gavin Kennard (now deceased), (then) Minister of Agriculture and mentioned my concerns about the ill treatment of our fellow primate Guyanese citizens – the monkeys; and that the government should take the necessary measures to prevent the exploitation of Guyanese monkeys from unscrupulous exporters