New arrivals at the Guyana Zoo
Guyana Chronicle
March 11, 2007
A GIANT River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa), three Cougar cubs (Puma Concolor) and a juvenile Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) are the newest residents at the Guyana Zoological Park.
The zoo said the juvenile Tapir which is on exhibit was obtained from the Essequibo Coast where it was living in a domesticated habitat.
The nine-month old animal, which weighs about 41 kgs, is adapting very well to her new home at the zoo which has been specially furnished to accommodate her needs.
The large Cougar exhibit is once again alive with the “exuberant presence of three brightly spotted Puma cubs”, the zoo reported.
It said the five-weeks old cubs are spending most of their time familiarizing themselves with their new habitat and the keepers who dedicate most of their time to ensuring that the needs of the cubs are met.
“The South American Cougars are an endangered species, and as such the Zoological Park is proud to welcome them to our collection for the enrichment and edification of our visitors”, the zoo said.
The Giant River Turtle was received by the Zoological Park on February 8, 2007 after being rescued by four men in the Rupununi.
The Giant River Turtle, which weighs about 36 kgs, had gone to the sandy roadway of the Rupununi to nest.
According to the zoo, the turtle was rescued in time as a group of persons was intent on slaughtering her.
“Upon hearing about this animal’s distress, the Zoological Park immediately began making special accommodation to receive this animal in the interest of saving her life. It was transported by a truck from the Rupununi in the company of its four guardians to Georgetown where it was uplifted by several representatives from the Zoological Park.”
This species of turtle, the zoo said, is listed as Lower Risk/Conservation Dependent.
It said exploitation by humans has virtually eliminated this turtle from most of the upper Amazon River Basin, and populations across the range are much reduced. In the Guianas it is considered to be an endangered species.
The Guyana Zoological Park said it has a special mandate in promoting wildlife awareness/conservation and appreciation and this “magnificent creature presently resides in our Turtle exhibit and carries with it a tale that our efforts and those of many in spreading the need for conservation has reached the Rupununi.”
Visitors to the zoo interested in viewing these new arrivals, some of whom are still shy, need only contact the nearest Zookeeper, Zoo Education Volunteer, or staff on duty, who would only be very willing to explain the characteristics and the regimes of these new additions
As part of its objective to continuously enrich its exhibits, the Guyana Zoo said it expects in the very near future to add a Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and a Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla).