Wildlife is important to humans living in all parts of the world and this is certainly true for us here in Guyana. Traditionally, the term wildlife meant wild birds and animals but it has now been expanded to include plants, fungi, and microorganisms. Our Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations (2013) captures this broader definition of wildlife as “any non-cultivated or non-domestic organism in the kingdom of animals, plants, protista, prokaryota, and fungi and any parts or derivatives thereof.” In other words if it is not domesticated then it is wildlife!
At present the Wildlife Regulations is under the EPA. It was developed out of the recognition of the benefits tobe gained by conserving and managing our country’s wildlife. Wildlife plays an important role inmaintaining the ecological balance, for example, sustaining natural food chains so that living things at all levels of the chain can survive. The economic value of wildlife is perhaps the most well-known, people and countries derive income from wildlife in many ways e.g. through tourism and recreation. Wildlife is a storehouse of genetic information that can enable us as humans to recover from the loss of our modern crops to disease. Wildlife is critical for scientific reasons, e.g. population studies and its value extends to the social, educational, cultural sphere, e.g. it forms part of the way of life for indigenous peoples. In a nut-shell, sustainable development and human well-being are intricately linked to Wildlife.

Wildlife Regulations Quick Facts
 Some wildlife may be classified as Critically Endangered(e.g. Leatherback turtle), Endangered (e.g. Sun Parakeet), or Vulnerable (e.g. Brazil-nut Tree, Jaguar, Arapaima) which are:
o Protected throughout the whole of Guyana at all times.
o Must not be collected, held in captivity, hunted, killed or molested.

 Some methods and devices are prohibited for collecting wildlife such as:
o Setting fires to grass or any vegetation.
o Using any device capable of producing electric current sufficient to kill wildlife.

 Any person who proposes to engage in activities to farm, ranch, buy, sell or otherwise deal in wildlife needs to apply to the EPA for a Commercial License.

 Persons can report crimes against wildlife to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Every Year, World Wildlife Day is celebrated on March 03, to raise awareness on the world’s wild flora and fauna. Be sure to join the celebrations!

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or you can contact the Agency on 225-5467-9. Also check out our facebook page, Environmental Protection Agency-Guyana.