During a recent visit to the National Zoo in Georgetown, I found myself reminiscing about my childhood experiences wandering around the grounds in awe of the animals, sounds, smells and the mystery of what the next turn around the enclosures might reveal.
During a recent visit to the National Zoo in Georgetown, I found myself reminiscing about my childhood experiences wandering around the grounds in awe of the animals, sounds, smells and the mystery of what the next turn around the enclosures might reveal.
Childhood dreams like grains of sand are always in abundance and my dream was for Guyana's zoo to be expanded into a huge playground for the animals with enough space for them to roam almost naturally, so that they can gallop climb swim, dive, and fly as they please rather than the close confines that have existed in over the decades. My dream was for the botanical section to be populated with plants found all over Guyana to give the visitors, especially children the physical experience of being amongst nature for those who were not fortunate to travel to the interior. But, with the right experience many might be then encouraged to venture into the hinterland.
Those were just childhood dreams but as an adult my visit to the zoo still leaves me with much of the same desire. The Georgetown Botanical Gardens encompassing the zoo need a serious and dedicated investment by not just the government of Guyana but Guyanese businesses and citizens alike. Every dollar skillfully invested in development of the zoo could potentially bring droves more visitors, both local and international to the "Gardens", therefore injecting more money into the local economy.
A Guyana National Zoo Trust should be set up to collect donations, and manage every aspect of the facility, partnerships should be sought from experts around the world to develop and exchange ideas, plans, research and personnel to preserve and protect our natural fauna and flora and educate citizens about the value both ecological and biological.
Guyana has so much to offer, and, revitalized Botanical Gardens and Zoo could be an exciting destination for all; a dream fulfilled.
