Sand Creek’s 5th Annual Turtle Festival ends with release of hatchlings into Rupununi River

The 5th Annual Turtle Festival, hosted by the Sand Creek Village Council, on Saturday, in collaboration with the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS), saw over 200 attendees in a vibrant celebration of the Yellow-Spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) and its importance to healthy freshwater ecosystems and Indigenous cultural heritage.
According to the SRCS, youths enjoyed interactive turtle-themed games, competitions, educational booths with local, regional and national partners and the unforgettable grand finale—the release of approximately 200 turtle hatchlings into the Rupununi River.
In a landmark community commitment to conservation in the Rupununi, the Sand Creek Village Council, led by Toshao Alex Augustine, pledged GYD $2.5 million from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) Funds to support the continued hosting of the Turtle Festival and strengthen the ongoing Turtle Research & Monitoring Programme.
This incredible commitment ensures long-term impact for both the species and the communities who protect them.
The SRCS extended heartfelt gratitude to its principal event funder, the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), and supporting partners: the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Conservation International Guyana (CI), Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme (SWM), South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), Tara’s Choices and Tours, Visit Rupununi (VR), Ministry of Agriculture – Fisheries Department, and the Sand Creek Tourism Committee – Suburun Eco-Tourism.
With special thanks to Sand Creek Primary School, Sand Creek Wildlife Club, Macushi Primary School, Shiriri Primary School, Parikwarinau Primary School, Meriwau Primary School, and our friends from the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) for their unwavering dedication.
Together, we continue to protect our rivers, strengthen cultural ties, and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders, the SRCS noted.