Wichabai Ranch urges zero tolerance for Rupununi rustling following violent death of ‘Rasta’

Wichabai Ranch has issued a strong call urging authorities to enforce zero tolerance for cattle rustling in the Rupununi. The call comes after the gruesome murder of the region’s well-known guide, Leon Baird, widely suspected to be at the hands of cattle rustlers. In an official statement on Sunday, the ranch said it is “grieving deeply over the recent loss of our friend and family member, Leon ‘Rasta’,” describing him as “thoughtful, energetic, loyal and always honest.”
The ranch also called for justice following the violent death of Leon ‘Rasta’ Baird, describing his killing as an atrocity. According to the statement, Baird “died because he came across a crime being committed,” which the ranch identified as “the theft, slaughter, and illegal sale of private cattle.” The ranch noted that cattle rustling is “a crime that is perpetrated repeatedly in the Rupununi and has never been resolved by the authorities.” Wichabai Ranch stated that it is working closely with law enforcement and community leaders to ensure accountability, saying, “We are working closely with the Police, local CPGs (Community Policing Groups) and village leaders to ensure that justice prevails.” The ranch called on authorities to ensure Baird’s death leads to concrete action, declaring, “Let Rasta’s death not be in vain,” and urging agencies to work together “to catch these criminals and remove them from our communities, north and south and to enforce Zero Tolerance for cattle rustling.” The statement also detailed Baird’s contributions to the Rupununi, noting that he was “a celebrated tour guide and a vaquero,” a senior ranger with the South Rupununi Conservation Society, and “a co-author of several academic articles about biodiversity in the Rupununi.” He was also recalled as a river-trip boat captain who led expeditions into remote areas of Guyana, an excellent cook, and someone who “could fix any engine and change any wheel using whatever tools he found around the place.” The ranch highlighted his love for animals, stating that he took care of “horses, cattle, capybaras and orphaned anteaters,” and was known for caring for children on the ranch “as if they were his own.” Wichabai Ranch expressed gratitude for the national and international support received, thanking the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce for offering condolences, as well as partners and organisations that “released statements calling for justice.” “We have one message and it is this,” the statement concluded. “This is an achievable goal and with all agencies working together, it can be done.” The statement ended with the words: “Justice for Rasta. Justice for the Rupununi.” Police had said that the man’s partially charred remains were found last Sunday along the eastern bank of the Rupununi River, in close proximity to the Wichabai Ranch. A post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday, January 27, by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, gave the cause of death as burns and indicated that the victim was alive prior to the fire, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) disclosed in a recent press release. Visit Rupununi, in a statement Saturday, noted that it is now several days since his brutal death and claimed that while there have been reports of sightings of the suspects and witnesses who have come forward, the lead investigator has not been seen in the area since last Sunday, nor have the suspects been formally questioned while physical evidence remains uncollected at the crime scene.