South Rupununi leaders worried that wildlife will become extinct

– cite excessive hunting as main contributor

Wildlife in the South Rupununi is at risk of becoming extinct due to unregulated and excessive hunting and fishing—something which village leaders are calling for assistance in tackling.
Various leaders from the South Rupununi have voiced concerns about overhunting and overfishing in their villages, leading to a shortage of wildlife. As of now, this news publication knows that some of the animals facing challenges include deer and various types of fish.
Nicholas Bakes of Katoonarib Village in the South Rupununi told the Guyana Times about some of the challenges he personally faces.

According to him, these challenges span various issues, including overhunting and divers overfishing in the rivers, not giving the fish enough time to replenish.
“Well, honestly speaking, wildlife in general is declining, right. So, before, we had like endless wildlife, but then then there weren’t plenty of people yet. But now you’re getting the population growing, and the wildlife is under heavy pressure. Even the fish are under heavy pressure. So, it’s not as before—it’s declining because of population growth and people bringing their family to come and go fishing.”
Currently, private rearing of animals is being done to ensure enough food supply for residents. Nevertheless, Bakes said something needs to be done about the dwindling wildlife in South Rupununi communities.
“So, yeah, that’s the thing. Wildlife and fish, in general, are under really intense pressure right now. Alternatively, there are some cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens being reared to offset the pressure. So, that’s what we’re doing because this is the river here—right over here is the river. the Wapishana people and the Macushi people depend on the same river daily. Every night people would be fishing—even in the day.”

He also expressed sadness about the number of people who are sailing for hours just to catch fish.
“Now it is low. Long ago, this wasn’t the case now they’re doing diving, and so, you know, there’s so much happening right now—diving.”
Taking the opportunity to fight against overhunting, he has relayed that he has barred people from entering his village to fish in an area he oversees.
“I don’t really allow people to do fishing by the river that is close by my house. This is one of the lakes that I mean, don’t ever come out and, like, shoot to them when they’re so desperate, and then that’s it. But I don’t really allow people to start fishing.”
Notwithstanding, the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) has been working over the years to preserve wildlife in various communities in the region.
Not only is wildlife under threat but also the red siskin bird, for which great efforts are being made to ensure its protection.
“We want to keep it this way. I feel sad because I mean, from nursery, primary, and secondary to jobs, people actually don’t want to know how to make cassava bread. We have this, and we’re part of the Red Siskin Project.
He mentioned, “Because they’re here, they’re actually on the red list, and they’re actually getting extinct. So, they’re here, and that’s our stronghold.”
As of now, there is a high focus on natural foods from the ground.
“Our life is really like cassava, Farine, cassava bread, this and that. But you get sugar, rice, and flour as substitutes. So, that’s just our way of life in general, but as time goes by, you have to adapt to it.”