THE SCARLET IBIS, the country’s National Bird is being relentlessly poached, says owner of Nanan’s Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tours, Alistair Nanan.
Speaking to the Express, Nanan said the authorities have done nothing to stop the illegal hunting.
He said that the deaths of the birds is a disaster and he is blaming the Government for not effectively placing strict measures in place to protect the wildlife.
He said: “People miss the view about the flora and fauna of our country and what is needed it to protect it because it helps out the ecological system. The wetlands are of international importance and conservation, to protect it is very important. We have a regime that is showing that is doesn’t care. People are coming and hunting it, so not only are our local birds getting killed but other migratory birds would be affected. If the place is unsafe, they will not come.”
Nanan recommended that more game wardens are placed at the Caroni Swamp for patrolling and a curfew should be initiated.
The Caroni Swamp is home to many species of animals.
Nanan said there has also been an increased killing of flamingos being hunted.
He said: “Our main concern is that nothing is being done to protect the birds. To protect the wetlands. And those in authorities are sitting by and doing nothing.”
When contacted for comment over the concerns that the scarlet ibis is being hunted, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat said: “It was something I made public several weeks ago. Since then I arranged for an additional patrol vessel at the swamp and today I arranged to have additional officers in the area.”
The birds have been around for centuries, no eating or poaching.
It is the influx of thousands of immigrants from China, Africa and all the Craibbean Islands, South America etc with different cultures and cravings for wild life and flavors and exotic foods and animals, has lead to an increase of the slaughter of these animals .
I remember there was a recent incident of allegations of people of a certain descent and culture, stealing people ‘s dogs for food and to make delicacies ( videos were said to be the proof , as well as dead carcasses)
So is chiney a eat di bird dem?
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2004-04-17/news/0404170115_1_inspectors-restaurant-meat
State inspectors shut down a Chinese restaurant in Davie on Friday, a day after the owner was arrested on charges of illegally buying deer, ducks, snook and a bear cub.
The Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants sent inspectors to the Pacific Island restaurant at 4482 Weston Road on Friday to look for any meat that lacked labels, in light of the charges against the owner. They didn’t find any. But they found a major roach infestation and ordered an emergency closure of the restaurant, said Meg Shannon, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which includes the hotel and restaurant division.
The owner, Zhou Xiang, was arrested Thursday after a long undercover operation in which a wildlife officer posed as a poacher selling illegally killed animals. Investigators suspect the owner sold some of the meat to customers and used other animal parts as traditional Chinese health remedies. They suspect he was also obtaining poached meat from other sources.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which enforces anti-poaching laws, is charging him with dozens of counts of illegally purchasing fish and wildlife.
It is generally illegal to buy or sell wild game in Florida. The undercover agent made clear to the owner that some of the wildlife was poached, according to investigators. The owner also violated the law by buying undersized snook and possessing more than two snook.
________________________________________________ I cannot :ngakak
They eat everything