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Guyana's Exotic Fauna

"Guyana is truly a timeless paradise, a land of immense biodiversity, huge landscapes and unspoilt wonder, where Jaguar still roam the forests, where Giant River Otter, Black Caiman and Arapaima (the world's largest fish) still swim in the rivers, and where well over 700 species of birds including Harpy Eagle and Guianan Cock of the Rock can be found" Colin Crooke ORNITHOLOGIST

"In the evening the inland rivers of Guyana are a floating safari. Spider and howler monkeys jump from the limbs of bank side trees, a myriad of rare and beautiful birds light the air, caiman alligators skim the dark surface of the waters at nearly every river bend, otters splash down from their tree root 'holes,' and the shy capybara hustles back into the banks at the sound of our boat. " Molly Tichey Travel Writer.

Explore Guyana

Lush Rainforest, Mountain ranges, rivers and waterfalls are home to an abundance of Fauna. Guyana is geographically part of the Neotropics. It is divided into four natural regions, the low coastal belt, the Hilly sand and Clay region, the Interior Savannahs and the Forested Highlands . Due to the diversity of the country many species of fauna can be found in each area. Guyana proudly boasts over 800 species of birds ranging from the familiar to the exotic. We have magnificent flycatchers, tanagers, gulls and egrets. The Capital city Georgetown is home to almost two hundred species including parrots and the lovely hummingbirds.

The Savannahs are no exception, boasting a diverse range of Finches, Quails and more.The Majestic Kunuku Mountain Range separating the North from the South Savannahs, whose name means 'rich forest' in the Macushi language, is a reference to the rich diversity of wildlife found there. The lowland forests sustain 60% of all the known bird species in Guyana . The Kunuku Mountains also has 150 mammal species, or 80% of all mammals found in Guyana . Prominent species include the Giant otter , the Harpy eagle which is the largest eagle in the Americas and one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world as well as the Arapaima , the world's largest freshwater fish. The areas surrounding the Kanuku's are also rich in fauna.

The Maparri Wilderness Camp set on the banks of the river looking straight on to a set of falls is a wonderful place, where early risers may have the opportunity of searching for rarely seen Tayra or even a Black Jaguar. From this remote and beautiful location continue your journey on to Karanambu Ranch to search for Giant River Otters and to enjoy the best inland fishing in Guyana .

Guyana's Rainforest boast such exotic birds as the Toco Toucan, Cock-of the rock and King vulture. Just north of the Rupununi savannah the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is a series of suspension bridges and decks of up to 30 metres in height and 154 metres in length, located in the Iwokrama Forest . The forest around the walkway contains some important flora and fauna. About 135 species of amphibians and reptiles live in the Forest . Eleven of the species collected were new to science. Among these are The Black Caiman is the largest member of this group in the world; adults can grow to 6 metres (16-20 ft.) long. This is one of four caimans found in Guyana . There are many endangered and protected species such as the Jaguar, the most powerful and largest cat living the rainforests of Guyana . Apart from the Jaguar our Rainforest is also home to 4 other species of cat.

• The Puma - (approx 45kg)
• The Jaguarundi-(approx 7kg)
• The Ocelot-(approx 10kg)
• The Oncilla-(approx 2.25kg)
• The Margay-(approx 3.5kg)

Another area in Guyana that is rich in animal life is the Shell beach. It stretches from the mouth of the Waini River in the North Western part of Guyana to the mouth of the Pomeroon River . Almond Beach is located at the mouth of the Waini River, and in addition to it being one of the most important nesting areas for the four pf the seven species of marine turtles in the world, it is the only place in Guyana that has a large stretch of intact mangrove forests, brackish water and coastal swamp communities. This is a very rare thing in today's developed world.

Guyana 's known biodiversity includes:

• Plants- more than 6000 species
• Birds- more than 800 species within the
• Boundaries of Guyana
• Mammals- more than 200 species
• Fishes- more than 700 species
• Reptiles and Amphibians- more than 200
• species
• Invertebrates- unknown.

Although much of Guyana ' s biodiversity is unknown, our natural forest cover of more than75% is an indicator of great biological wealth.