The Zoo Restoration and Enhancement Project has been launched by the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) under the theme, “Wildlife Warriors: Unite for Conservation” and is part of a rehabilitation drive to enhance the structures and surroundings of the Georgetown Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
The project began with an exercise yesterday that lasted from 08.00 to 10.00 hours. In attendance were several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and companies who volunteered their assistance with the enhancement efforts. Among them were members of the President Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG), members of the diplomatic corps, Exxon Mobil Guyana, Schlumberger Guyana, British High Commission, and the Caribbean Youth environment network (CYEN) along members of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
PAC Commissioner, Jason Fraser, commenting on the exercise, shared that the significant turnout has now sparked the idea for a “Friends of the Parks” initiative. “We are going to have a meeting with a forum where we discuss projects and ways that we can collaborate with these youth organisations to do projects within the park.”
All urban green spaces are managed by the PAC and the restoration enhancement project marks the launch of the rehabilitation drive. Fraser noted that this venture is one that will take place quarterly either on Saturday mornings or Sunday mornings.
Yesterday’s event focused on the ‘sprucing up’ and painting of various areas within the Botanical Gardens and the Zoological Park. It involved painting and cleaning various animal enclosures, as well as the tree trunks and benches in the gardens.
Fraser pointed out, however, that is just the initial phase of the project. Looking ahead, additional enhancement endeavours would include activities like animal rehabilitation and feeding. These initiatives are aimed to engage families who wish to contribute to the restoration efforts.
“Today, we have great support from corporate and other organisations along with civil society,” he stated, adding that the “great support” is an opening to setting the trend and leading the way to having green spaces transformed and rehabilitated.
Foreign Secretary and PAC Chairman, Robert Persaud, expressed his gratitude to the organisations that responded by sending representatives to be a part of the effort. He noted that green spaces are an important part of the city and they represent a sample of the rich flora and fauna of Guyana. “It is not only an experience for families, but is also one for children to be educated and understand the rich biodiversity of our country.” Further, spaces such as the Botanical Gardens provide a glimpse for those who are unable to travel to the hinterland rainforest and the savannahs to see wildlife it possesses.
“Enhancing this (garden/garden) is to enhance the experience and the education” Persaud said.
Guyana is a model globally for the way our wildlife and forests are protected, Persaud said, adding that it is important for a subset of those larger spaces to follow suit and tell the story of Guyana.
“So it is having functional green spaces, but also having these spaces and facilities to showcase and let people appreciate and understand what we are doing as a country and as a people in terms of managing our rich biodiversity.”
Another PAC board member, and President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Omodelle George, remarked, “We have answered the call. We have been not deaf to all the comments and the importance of this section of the Botanical Gardens it was just a matter of time; it was coming.” She underscored that these green spaces have arrested the attention of the board members for quite some time. “The time has come for this project to get going and this is a representation of what is happening and what’s to come.” She also expressed elation at the outpouring of support the launching of the initiative received.
Angelique Leonor Ferero, a member of the Caribbean Youth Network (CYEN) shared with Stabroek News that she came out to volunteer and to take part in the PAC initiative. “I came out to assist with some of the repainting of the tree stumps and the surroundings and helping to clean up and throw the trash away and to make the zoo a better place.” Ferero learnt of the event via social media and was motivated to participate. She also took the opportunity to spread information about CYEN so that anyone who may be interested can join.
“CYEN has a wide age range, around 15 to 31and we do encourage members of the public to join us. What we do is advocate and empower youth involvement mainly in environmental issues and youth advocacy is our goal.”.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were also in attendance assisting with cleanup efforts. Church member, Jett Christianson, shared that he and his team came out after they saw the flyer for the restoration exercise. “So we came and we did a lot of painting. Painting trees and painting structures to help support the local zoo,” adding that he and his team are passionate about supporting the community.
