The following is the full text of a statement issued yesterday by the Guyana Wild Life Authority:
THE Board of the Guyana Wildlife Management Authority, after investigating the day-to-day activities of the Wildlife Division, has concluded that it no longer has the confidence of the Head of the Division, Mr. Khalawan and has severed relationship with him as an employee.
Over a period of time it has been established that Mr. Khalawan had exceeded his mandate as the administrative head of the Division and caused various wildlife species to be exported without the requisite approvals and has consistently kept this information from the Board. The Board is the only body authorised under the Species Protection Regulations to approve such exports.
Among the species exported without approvals are dolphins, giant anteaters and tower-tower (birds). Also, in one instance, it was found that one exporter was allowed to exceed his individual quota.
As regards the export of anteaters, a protected species under the Species Protection Regulations, Mr. Khalawan had allowed several dozens to be exported. This matter was pursued by the Board and after a discussion Khalawan apologised.
Subsequently, he requested approval for the export of four anteaters to a zoo based on request from an licensed exporter to a zoo in Europe. The request was approved on the basis that the exporter could have charged the authority with discrimination since Khalawan had on his own approved previous exports of anteaters. What was revealing was that Khalawan permitted the export of the fours anteaters but later it was discovered that he added one extra anteater to the list for another exporter, of course, without approval..
The popular singing bird Tower-Tower (Towa-Towa) has long been excluded from export as it is protected under the Bird Protection Act. Mr. Khalawan allowed the export of several of these and when questioned he explained that since they were exported as pets he did not see the need to seek approval nor inform the Board.
The handling of the dolphin issue again exposes Mr. Khalawan’s practice of failing to seek approval on important matters and to conceal information from the Board. The Board has always acted on the assumption that the person who heads the Division would administer the business of the Authority in a straightforward manner. The Board has always desisted from micro-managing the Division and relied on regular reports by the Head to be informed and to deal with important issues.
The export of dolphins has always been a controversial issue. Since the Authority started consideration of this matter it has always maintained that it was in the interest of both Guyana and the importing country to be cautious and adhere to a transparent process. While Guyana can export dolphins it must go through certain protocols that the Authority had put in train. CITES was informed of our intentions. It cautioned that a non-detrimental study was needed. It is important for Guyana, as a signatory to this international convention, not to take these matters lightly.
The study was done and was examined by the Scientific Authority. It was then sent to CITES for a review. While it was known that CITES does have to give Guyana approval it was important for that body to pronounce on the integrity of the study. The Board at all its meetings took the position that no steps should be taken until word came from CITES. Mr. Khalawan was present in most if not all the meetings held this year and was aware of the position of the Board. Indeed, he was specifically asked at every Board meeting and has always stated that he has had no word from CITES and there was nothing new to report, thus the impression to Board members that nothing was being done while awaiting a response from CITES.
In June this year, the Chairman of the Board, Dr. K. Mangal, received a report that contrary to denials by the Authority, dolphins were indeed being exported from Guyana. The Chairman then contacted the Head of the Division and sought clarification. He was not satisfied with the response by the Head and immediately consulted with the Secretary, Mr. Kellawan Lall and Dr. Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, since the Authority falls under the Office of the President. Mr. Khalawan was called to a meeting and was informed that he was being sent on leave pending an investigation into unauthorised exports of wildlife. He was not required to say anything as he was told that he would be given a hearing in due course.
It was subsequently found that Mr. Khalawan had issued permits to export dolphins in January 2004; collected the requisite royalties; instructed the Wildlife Veterinary Officer, Dr. Applewaithe to visit the area where the dolphins were being held; verified the issued health certificates; knew that 11 dolphins left the country in May by sea from Waini Point, Essequibo; and even communicated to Venezuelan authorities concerning the validity of the CITES permits. At no time, either at the Board meetings or the several other occasions when the Chairman, Secretary and Mr. Khalawan met, did the head of the Division offer information that he was going ahead or that he had in fact allowed the export of the dolphins.
Mr. Khalwan has cited a letter by Dr. Luncheon as the source of his authority to export the dolphins. That letter was directed by Dr. Luncheon to Mr. Lall as Secretary to the Authority and copied to Khalawan only for information. The letter expressly requested of Mr. Lall to “consider” certain proposals suggested by Dr. Luncheon. The Board has determined that the letter cannot be construed as an instruction to Khalawan to export dolphins and/or for him to usurp the authority of the Board and/or to conceal such actions.
The Board is continuing to look at the entire operations of the Division with a view of putting in systems that would prevent any person from manipulating quotas approved by the Board, extend quotas, include additional species for export without the approval of the Board, hide, falsify or destroy documents, including those of a financial nature.
There are on-going discussions with the WWF for the introduction of a computerised system of permits which at any one point in time will show up any discrepancies.
These matters have caused damage to Guyana’s reputation as a partner in the export trade, and to the new Management Authority which has only recently assumed the task of streamlining the export trade. It will, however, continue to manage the country’s wildlife resources in a sustainable manner and in accordance with the laws of Guyana. It will continue to be sensitive to conservation issues and take into consideration public sensitivities.