A jaguar, which was captured by residents of Lima Sands on the Essequibo Coast, has been released into its natural habitat after being in the care of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission.

The animal was captured last week and Lima Sands resident Marvin Calvan was taking care of it in a trap he had set to cage the animal which was preying on other mammals such as dogs and also on poultry in the village.

According to the commission, a team from the body and another from the Ministry of Natural Resources partnered in the exercise to retrieve the animal.
officials from the two entities met Calvan and his sister on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Lima Sands and the animal was placed in a cage while the trap used to catch it was destroyed. The commission offered no reason for the latter move. A blood test was performed on the animal before it was released.

The commission is reminding the public that the jaguar, the nation’s national animal, is a protected species and, under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, it is deemed an offence for one to have such an animal in one’s possession or to have the animal on display for public viewing without the necessary authorization.

A fine between $750,000 to $2M and a jail term of 3 years are the penalties for anyone who breaks the law regarding the animal.

The commission is calling on communities which have wildlife –related issues to report same to the body to ensure mutual existence between animals and residents in affected areas.

The body said it does not recommend trapping of big cats in conflict situations and it was noted that, if a big cat is killed, a report should be made to the nearest police station or the commission.