Trinidad / Special Interests / Conservation

The incredibly rich biodiversity of Trinidad is under severe threat on various fronts, especially from lack of funding and shortfalls in public awareness and education; developing countries always have more pressing social and economic concerns and preservation of the country’s vital heritage and wildlife is normally in the hands of a few enlightened individuals and small organisations. As elsewhere in the Americas, illegal trade in wildlife and exotic birds is a problem and the Emperor Valley Zoo in conjunction with the Brigand Hill Animal Reserve Keep (ARK), a rehabilitation centre and sanctuary, has been instrumental in returning species like captive bred blue and gold and red-bellied macaws to the wild in Nariva Swamp, which has become a major success story.

Nature Seekers - a community based conservation organisation to protect leatherback turtles on the eastern seaboard, with guides schemes on Matura Beach and tagging and patrolling services; also concerned with reafforestation and beach cleansing, a massive undertaking in the east.

Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust - conservation of 25 acres of wetland including two lakes on the site of the Petrotin Oil Refinery.

Caroni and Nariva Swamplands - the former is internationally important as the roosting site of the scarlet ibis while the latter is the last freshwater wetland of its type in the Caribbean, a very sensitive habitat under pressure from crop planting and praedial fishing; tireless work from various organisations ongoing to effect formal protection.

Asa Wright Nature Centre - internationally renowned nature reserve, birdwatching mecca and scientific research station high in the Arima valley; important educational role in workshops for schoolchildren.

Manatee Conservation Trust - protection of the endangered ‘sea cow’ in conjunction with Emperor Valley Zoo.

Paria Springs Trust and Eco Community - extremely pro-active, informed group led by Courtenay Rooks, well versed in a range of environmental issues and specifically involved in the critical Ocelot Conservation and Education Programme in the northern forests.

Non-profit organisations and Government links:

Citizens for Conservation Trinidad & Tobago, 66 Pembroke St, Port of Spain, conservationtandt@gmail.com

Nature Seekers, Toco Main Road, Matura, t 668 7337 c 366 1031, natureseekers@gmail.com | www.natureseekers.org Contact: Susan Lakhan-Baptiste, manager (elected into the UN Global Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement for her volunteer efforts in turtle protection).

The Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, c/o 38 La Reine Townhouse, Flagstaff Hill, Long Circular Road, St James www.petrotrin.com/WildFowlWeb

Asa Wright Nature Centre, Arima Valley, Northern Range, t 667 4655 | asaright@tstt.net.tt | www.asawright.org

Manatee Conservation Trust, Nariva, Manzanilla, t 620 4878 | manateetrust@yahoo.com | www.manateetrust.org

Paria Springs Eco Community, Brasso Seco, Paria, t 622 8826 | rooks@pariasprings.com | www.pariasprings.com