According to data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, over 8,400 species of wild fauna and flora are critically endangered, while close to 30,000 more are understood to be endangered or vulnerable. Based on these estimates, it is suggested that over a million species are threatened with extinction. This is an alarming statistic when we consider how important these species are to ensuring life on earth is maintained. Wildlife and their habitats contribute to ecosystem services that make it possible for us to get materials for food and medicine, clean water, clean air and also assist in regulation of climate.
Millions of people depend on wildlife resources to meet their everyday needs, from food, to fuel, medicines, housing, and clothing. Additionally, many people rely on wildlife for their livelihoods and economic opportunities. These include hunters, trappers, middlemen, forest dwellers, miners, and fishermen.
However, activities such as poaching, unregulated forestry and mining, and agricultural expansion threaten the survival of these key species.
Since they are so important, the continued loss of species, habitats and ecosystems threatens all life on Earth, including ours. It is therefore imperative that action be taken to protect and conserve these species, especially those that are in danger of extinction. To this end, the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) implements numerous strategies in a bid to protect wildlife. These include:
(i) The declaration of species classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered as protected species under the Wildlife Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use Regulations (2019). It is an offence to collect, hold in captivity, kill, hunt, or otherwise molest a protected species. Some of these species are the jaguar, puma, ocelot, giant anteater, leatherback turtle, giant river otter, sun parakeet, black caiman, harpy eagle, bush dog and many others.
(ii) Establishment of Closed seasons during which time it is forbidden to hunt, collect, or sell specific species.
(iii) Quotas – persons engaged in the trade of wildlife are only allowed to extract and trade a certain of the number species they are allowed to trade
(iv) Managing the local trade of wildlife – From March 2022, the GWCMC will be implementing the domestic licensing system. Under this system there are six categories of licences which will apply to persons who engage in the trade of wildlife locally. It would apply to such wildlife users as trappers, middlemen, wildmeat vendors, researchers, recreational hunters, pet shops, etc. This system will ensure that there is a record of how, when, where, which and by whom our wildlife is being utilised. These and other records will come in handy for the proper management and conservation of our wildlife in Guyana, ensuring the preservation of wildlife.
Every year on March 3, World Wildlife Day is celebrated. This date marks the signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As the designated CITES Management Authority for Guyana, part of the GWCMC’s functions is to oversee all international wildlife trade and execute activities to observe World Wildlife Day.
