Again, we set off before sunrise, this time to observe anteaters in the savannah. On our way, we see a lot of burnt areas. Hunters and farmers use fire to flush animals out or win new grassland. These fires often get out of control. No luck this time, the anteaters have hidden themselves too well, but we’re still impressed by the vastness of the landscape, which is covered with termite hills.
Day 7: Savannah in the morning and Georgetown in the evening: the Coronavirus catches up with us
Thursday, 12th March 2020
Sunrise on the savannah. We’re on the look-out for anteaters that are now heading for their resting places.
All eyes to the horizon. Even without any wildlife sightings, the savannah is extremely beautiful.
There seems to be enough food for the anteaters, the area is covered with termite hills.
Together with our savannah guide, I look for snakes amongst the termite hills.
A break after hour-long and unsuccessful anteater searches.
We’re luckier with bird watching. Here’s a well-camouflaged nightjar in the high grass.
A jaribu stork flies over the savannah.
Again and again, we see large burnt areas. The fires are often laid by farmers and hunters.
Back in the caiman house, Marcellus Thomas tells us about how he breeds turtles. This project has now been running for 9 years and aims to raise the numbers of river turtles, which are threatened by extinction due to hunting and stalking. The eggs are removed from nests along the river, hatched in tubs in the lodge (600 eggs are here at the moment), raised for a year in a safe environment and the turtles are then released back into the water. This calls for a big celebration, making the public aware of how important the turtles are. Marcellus is in contact with various zoos in the US, who support his project. Above all, he would like an incubator, in order to specifically raise females (needing more warmth) and less male animals, to enable the population to grow. I’m extremely enthusiastic about the project which still relies very much on handwork and above all, on Marcellus’ initiative.
Then the jeep arrives and we drive over the bumpy, tropical-red track to the airport at Lethem, where there are already numerous warehouses belonging to the Chinese.
Turtle breeding in the Rupununi region
Marcellus Thomas tells us he would like to enlarge the turtle project to improve species protection. 600 eggs are being hatched at the moment in the coloured tubs.
We arrive late, exhausted, but are very happy to return to Georgetown – just in time for our appointment with the German Honorary Consul in Guyana, Hemsing. He assesses the situation in Guyana, including the oil issue. In his opinion, there’s a considerable backlog of questions regarding schools and training, because the system receives little promotion and support. No wonder the big Brain Drain continues – something we heard several times on our trip.
And slowly, Coronavirus news becomes apparent. It seems Trinidad and Tobago, which we were aiming to visit as part of our mission, have closed the border to Germans.