THE 9th Annual Wildlife Festival to be hosted by Iwokrama Conservation International, with support from WWGuianas and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , is to be in Annai, Region 9  (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) from March 27 – 29, under the theme “Biodiversity: Our Best Security”.
Over 230 youths from 15 communities of the Rupununi will be participating in the three days of activities which will feature, costumes, banners, art and poetry submitted reflecting the theme.
The wildlife festival is a celebration of environment and culture and is the grand finale to the environmental activities that Iwokrama supports with the wildlife clubs of the North Rupununi.
During the festival, 15 members from each club, aged between 8 and 20 years, will showcase their knowledge and enthusiasm for the environment though art, poetry, song, and dance as well as compete in traditional and not so traditional skills competitions.
Sporting events will include traditional skill competitions of cotton spinning, archery, cassava grating, basket weaving and fire lighting, a knock-out volleyball competition between clubs, obstacle sack race, lime and spoon relay, piggy back relay, and buns and she bai drinking competitions.
Bina Hill Environmental Club will serve as hosts and mentors to the visiting clubs. The North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) and Bina Hill Institute will jointly provide support; and the venue for the event, the Annai Secondary School, through the Ministry of Education, will provide accommodation, while the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Guyana Forestry Commission, through the Ministry of Agriculture, will provide support for prizes.