A_peek_at_South_American_Fauna

By Brian Ramsey

Guyana is an amazing country, part of the South American continent yet still considered part of the Caribbean. Home to Kaieteur Falls, the highest single drop waterfall in the world at 741 feet. Within Guyana there are rivers that contain islands which are larger than Barbados. Guyana is among the countries with the highest biodiversity in the world, having 1,168 vertebrate species and 1600 bird species.

Located in South America on the Atlantic Ocean, it is bordered to the east by Suriname, to the south and southwest by Brazil and to the west by Venezuela. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America. Long considered by many in the Caribbean to be a poor relation, the real richness of Guyana is only now being realised as eco-tourism is being developed. More than 80% of Guyana is still covered by forests, ranging from dry evergreen and seasonal forests to montane and lowland evergreen rain forests. These forests are home to more than a thousand species of trees. Guyana's tropical climate, unique geology, and relatively pristine ecosystems support extensive areas of species-rich rain forests and natural habitats with high levels of endemism. Approximately eight thousand species of plants occur in Guyana, half of which are found nowhere else.

With at least 80% of the country under forest, with many parts still virgin forest, Guyana is set apart from many other ecotourism destinations. Several lodges and eco-resorts have been built on the sandy banks that line many interior rivers and islands and the cola coloured creeks and rivers. These get their curious colour from fallen leaves and vegetation upstream. Within these waters can be seen; the Aripaima, the world's largest fresh water fish, Giant Otter, Amazon River Dolphin, Yellow-spotted River Turtle, West Indian Manatee, Antillean Manatee,  Black Caiman.

Within the forests, the animal life of Guyana include; Jaguars, Giant Armadillo, Brazilian Giant Tortoise, Giant Anteater, Little Spotted Cat, South American Tapir, Agouti, Deer, Bush Dog, Howler Monkey. Bird lovers will find Guyana a special treat with its 796 species that include the Harpy Eagle, the world’s largest eagle, Cock of the Rock, Scarlet Macaw, the Canjie pheasant, Blue-cheeked Amazon, Crested Eagle, Orinoco Goose, Maguari Storks, Snail Kites.

Nesting on Guyana’s shores are various sea turtle species consisting of Green Turtle, Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Hawksbill Turtle. Shell Beach is one of the prime nesting spots. The Shell Beach Conservation Project is a successful project that involves the local indigenous population in turtle conservation.

If you are in Guyana on business and do not have the time to explore, the zoo at Georgetown is a good place to get a peek at Guyana’s amazing South American Fauna.

To learn more about Guyana see our other Guyana Pages