Known wildlife abuser

Jul 24, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Once again, I am bringing to the attention of Government authorities the unforgiveable abuse to Guyana’s wildlife; as related to me by a Facebook friend.
This friend was riding in a car with his uncle, returning to Georgetown from Soesdyke. Upon reaching Land of Canaan they saw two cars (one white, one red), parked at the side of the road with their trunks open. My friend (a devoted animal lover) saw animals in a cage and decided to stop. They passed the two cars, pulling over in front of the second.
My friend got out with his cell phone camera on video. He sensed something was wrong when the men appeared very nervous. He videoed the scene and has pictures showing three men and one child. One trunk had several small cages with frightened capuchin and squirrel monkeys. On the ground alongside the road was a flour bag with dead monkeys. One of the men is a known wildlife trader who traps/buys birds, parrots and monkeys for profit.
Were these men guilty of committing a crime in Guyana? Maybe not, if they had the required licenses and were receiving/delivering to a legal wildlife dealer.
Were these men guilty of committing a moral crime against Guyana’s wildlife? Most definitely! They were transporting these animals inhumanely in cramped space without water, and it appears that several monkeys died in transport.
At the minimum, perhaps a review of our wildlife laws for handling and transporting wildlife in Guyana is in order! The mentioned video has been forwarded to the Wildlife Division.
Faithfully,
Syeada Manbodh

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