Sunday, August 23 2009

The Caribbean Animal Welfare Association (CAWA) registered in Trinidad and Tobago, and networking with all 36 countries touching the Caribbean Sea including North American countries and Latin American, French and Dutch speaking countries in the region, has appointed its first board following intensive consultations with various stakeholders.

Gupte Lutchmedial, Trinidad representative for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and well-known environmentalist has been placed at the helm of this non-governmental organisation.

In keeping with this regional scope of CAWA, the other members on the board represent a diverse network of stakeholders. They are: Richard Sheffield (ZooLeón, Mexico), Nadra Nathai-Gyan (Trinidad), Narain Gobin (Suriname); Violet Walker-Mohanlall (Guyana); Geddes Hislop (Cayman Islands); Kelvin Alie (Dominica); Benjamin De La Rosa (Trinidad), John Seyjagat (Florida, USA), Karl Jaikeran (Martinique), Lisa R-Maharaj (Trinidad) and John Wortman (Florida, USA). The CAWA’s head office is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad. According to CAWA, the association is committed to wildlife conservation and advancement of education in animal welfare in the wider Caribbean region through a network of international partnerships, cooperation and communication. The wider Caribbean region is recognised worldwide for its huge diversity in fauna and flora.

“Sadly the region has become the site for a thriving business in the illegal wildlife trade,” CAWA notes. “Illegal wildlife traders use the islands as transshipment points where they continue to trade such endangered species as the yellow-headed parrot and Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey. This illegal wildlife trade presents a threat to the Caribbean; many ecologically important species are being removed from their oftentimes fragile ecosystems to supply the global demand for exotic pets, meat, and luxury goods. Welfare issues are of concern as these animals are subjected to cruel and inhumane practices.”

To address these issues, CAWA says, shared resources and vigilance can be exerted by CAWA partners to minimise the welfare issues or eliminate them altogether. The added value to this is the impact on the contraband aspects of this growing illegal wildlife trade. “CAWA provides the mechanism to do so effectively as there must be a united effort by Caribbean countries, in which communication and awareness must become a priority.”