THE Mexico-based firm implicated in the recent controversial exports of dolphins from Guyana had also made shipments from here before the current government took office in October 1992, company representatives said Friday.
They said the export of dolphins from Guyana had been done before.
Presidential Advisor on Empowerment and local entertainment promoter, Mr. Odinga Lumumba, broke his silence Friday on the controversial dolphin exports that his firm, McNeal Enterprises, facilitated for the Mexico-based company.
At a press briefing at the office of local attorney, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Mr. Lumumba introduced Mr. Kevin Dealy, Project Coordinator for Mexican wildlife importer/exporter FASIMMAR, who read a prepared statement on the dolphin export issue.
In his statement, Dealy - who was accompanied by his firm's Head of Operations, Mr. Francisco Garcia - said the dolphin export project was an exercise conducted solely by FASIMMAR of Mexico and that McNeal Enterprise was simply providing his company with basic assistance.
He said that all payments to the Department of Wildlife were made directly by FASIMMAR and that McNeal Enterprise was never involved in any financial dealings with the department.
He said the company has acted in consistency with the Department of Wildlife guidelines as well as under CITES rules.
He said that his company is interested in resuming discussion with the government so as to continue acting in tandem with the relevant procedures.
In his statement, Lumumba said he had remained silent on the issue because he had wanted the principals of the venture - FASIMMAR - to speak on the matter before he made a public statement.
He said that his involvement in the matter was due to his interest in developing an aquatic fun park in Guyana.
Lumumba expanded on his statement saying that he originally had the idea of bringing a circus here and travelled to Barbados to see the Suarez Brothers circus in action there.
He said he was not convinced that the circus was a good idea but was put in contact with Mr. Garcia, who he says is an accomplished dolphin catcher and trainer.
Meanwhile, contrary to yesterday’s report in the Chronicle, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, did not send any correspondence on the matter to former Head of the Wildlife Authority, Mr Khalawan.
The dolphin export furore started several weeks ago when a ship transporting 11 bottle-nosed dolphins en route to Mexico from Guyana was interrupted by Venezuelan Coast Guard authorities.
The dolphins were part of a total of 25 purchased from Guyana by a then-unknown Mexican business, and facilitated by McNeal Enterprises.