Wild Horses, Jaguars and Giant River Otters

Early this week, I joined two friends from Iwokrama to tutor a Jaguar conservation workshop for the students of Bina Hill, an environmental training institute in the Rupununi Savannas.  We packed our bags on Sunday afternoon and sped out of the dense Iwokrama forest into the open Savannas. It was refreshing to return to the stunning space.

On Sunday night at sunset, we visited a friends house in the nearby village of Aranaputa. There were herds of wild horses grazing around the house, who flocked close to the house on their own. I have fallen in love with the Rupununi, it is so effortlessly breathtaking!

wild horses at sunset = what could be better?

At the workshop, it was so so much fun getting the kids involved in critically thinking about the role Jaguars play in their community. We organized a role-play session where we divided them into groups and got them to think about how the Ranchers, the Community Leaders, the Rangers, the Government Officials, and the Conservation Biologists have different relationships with the species. Here are some photos of the kids at work:

One student working on a poster

 Here is a shot of the lower level of the Bina Hill Benab. It was all open, probably one of the nicest classrooms I've been to!

The students and I

the group of us

I was the one setting the self-timer...next time I wont sit down front center! And, I obviously need to work on my tan...

This cabin was my home for the two day workshop :)

 After the workshop, we sped further south through the Rupununi on our way to Karanambu Ranch. We stopped along the way to this local farmer for some greens.

A shot of his fantastic garden

 My friend in the drivers seat who was taking us along a one lane dirt road all of a sudden veered to the left to another 'road' which looked to me more like a path. This was where we were about to drive the remainer of the two hour journey to reach Karanambu Ranch. I enjoyed another sunset trip while viewing many species of birds and one fox!

Guyana represent!

trying to capture the sunset

This photo above gives you a sense of how open the savannas are, great for wildlife spotting

photos don't do it justice

When we finally arrived at Karanambu it was well past dark. Our hosts were still extremely welcoming and ushered us inside before offering us rum punch. Karanambu Ranch is AMAZING. From one tourism organization to another, it was great to see their tourism product. The hospitality, food and accommodation were fantastic.

Karanambu has a resident scientist who has been looking after orphaned Giant River Otters until they are able to fend for themselves in the wild. In her time at Karanambu, she has raised approximately 60 orphaned otters. On Wednesday morning, we accompanied a Karanambu guide down to the rivers edge for the otter's breakfast.

Philip in the rear and I think Bella in the front

Running because he has a hungry tummy

Philip munching on a fish

 ~Here is a link to Karanambu's Blog and their website if you are interested in learning more~

After Karanambu, we shot across the Savannas to Yupukari, a nearby village, to visit Caiman House. This is another touism destination in the Rupununi. Unfortunately, a few of the staff we were wanting to visit were not there, but it was a great visit nontheless. Except, we had a medical emergency around dinner where a volunteer fell over his bike and gashed open his shin (you could see his tibia). It was very frightening since medical supplies were limited and we had to wait for 1.5 hrs to get a vehicle to transport him to the hospital. Luckily, we managed to patch him up safe and sound before transporting him to Lethem.

My friend Geraldine and I at the rivers edge

 On the way back, we visited river's edge to enjoy a quick swim before cramming back into the vehicle for the 3 hour trip back.

Me at the river's edge before I jumped in for a dip

 On the drive back, we passed many crazy trees, this being one of them. Check out the bark!

Halfway back to the main road, we stopped to pick some mangoes off a tree next to the road. There were soo many, we managed to fill 3 large bags! It was a delicious snack for the remainder of the car ride back.

Now I am back at the field station dreaming of the open savannas. I can't say I have a tough life though, last night I went for a canoe ride and swim in the Essequibo River before dinner :)

Until next time, my lovelies!