Short Story
Education Conservation Outreach (ECO), a St. George’s University student group, has partnered with the Leo Club of St. George’s to raise awareness of the endemic species found on the island and the challenges they face daily in an effort to save Grenadian endangered species. The organizations also hope to change some of the negative perceptions surrounding wildlife and encourage locals to embrace these creatures as part of Grenadian culture.
Towards this end, ECO and the Leo Club have organized an Art and Photography Competition and Gala, which will be held on March 24th 2012 at Caribbean House, SGU. The event strives to connect the arts with Grenada’s native environment. Artists will be given the opportunity to paint wildlife in Grenada with special attention to those that are endangered, extirpated and/or extinct.
Additionally, photographers will also be given the opportunity to focus on the endemic and endangered species found on the island and submit their pieces to be auctioned at the Gala. The best and most popular works of art and photography would be used to create billboards, posters, flyers, and possibly stamps that would be circulated throughout the island.
While the Gala is an excellent occasion for members of the corporate and education sectors to view and purchase unique pieces of Grenadian art, it is also an opportunity to learn about Grenada's endemic and indigenous wildlife from the knowledgeable keynote speakers at the event.
The funds raised from the Gala will be used to create the previously mentioned billboards, posters, flyers, and stamps. These would be used to raise awareness on the special circumstances surrounding Grenadian wildlife; the threats facing them, their importance, and what can be done to conserve them individualistically.
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Full Story
Grenada is the only home to a vast number of animals that in recent years, sadly, have become endangered. For a species to be considered endangered it has to be a victim of habitat loss, disease, predation or simply local over-utilization. These animals, either indigenous or endemic, are vital to Grenada because they fulfill unique roles in our ecosystems and as such, we should take the necessary steps to ensure their survival. The mandate to protect and conserve our local species is in the hand of every Grenadian resident, national and expatriate.
The ‘Spice Isle’ of the Caribbean is home to 4 known endemic birds and 1 endemic frog, 4 elusive snakes, 4 critically endangered turtles, 14 bats and a number of indigenous mammals and reptiles. Our national bird, the Grenada Dove (Leptotilla welsi) is one of many local fauna threatened and in some cases overlooked. The Grenada Hooked-Billed Kite is often confused with the “Chicken Hawk” and is an efficient snail hunter. The Grenada Flycatcher keeps the population of mosquitoes at a minimum – to the relief of many locals – and the Grenada Race Bananaquit is the only bird in its family that is completely black in colour.
Grenada's snakes, bats, turtles and indigenous mammals and reptiles are just as important as its birds because they too are integral in eco-tourism. While there are many longstanding myths regarding our snakes, without them to keep the rodents in check the locals could face infestation problems. The Grenada Tree Boa and Grenada Blind Snake are only found on the Grenada bank but are critically endangered. The majestic Cribo, believed to be extirpated, was seen in combat with 3 mongooses by a visiting scientist in the 1970s. The most common of these snakes, the Bohdarts Tree Snake, is little and black and most Grenadians may have seen it racing across their yards on afternoons.
The island’s 14 species of bats – too many to mention – along with its species of sea turtles are shared with most of the Windward Islands. The Leatherback Turtle is known to nest on the northern shores of the island and is heavily impacted by poaching. The Green Sea Turtle is harvested for its beautiful shell, whilst the Loggerhead and Hawkskbill Sea Turtles are frequent in local cooking. The same can be said about the ever endearing Mona Monkey, Armadillo or “Tatoo,” and Opossum or “Manicou.”
It is important to note that each of the mentioned animals is essential to the completeness of Grenadian island life. We depend on these animals for food and to keep our ecosystems in balance. Other uses include jewelry, and touristic entertainment value. Just as each person in our society, through their various professions such as teachers, policemen and doctors, contributes to the whole so too do the animals in our ecosystem. The sea urchins prevent our corals from being overburdened with algae and the Leather Back Turtle ensures that there is only a small quantity of jellyfish in our waters. We must protect the entire ecosystem to protect ourselves in the long run.
By Education Conservation Outreach
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