GWCMC conducts Wild-a-Thon to raise awareness about wildlife across Guyana

The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) successfully completed its Wild-a-Thon series over the period March 8 – 18, 2026.

The main aim of the series was to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife and to emphasise the fact that human wellbeing is directly linked to the wellbeing of wildlife.

The series was conducted in collaboration with Dr Anthony Cummings, Professor, Bailey College of the Environment at Wesleyan University. It featured three main activities in each Administrative region of Guyana:

The first was a 13.1 mile run. Dr. Cummings completed ten runs of 13.1 miles in length over 11 days. Over the course of the run, Dr Cummings engaged in conversations with participants about their views on wildlife and impressed upon them the importance and connection of wildlife well-being to their own well-being. The distance of the run was significant since it highlighted the fact that approximately every 13 days, a wild cat is harmed due to an encounter with humans.

The other event was an art competition for primary school students. Primary school students were tasked with creating artwork depicting their interpretation of a particular animal in the various regions. Participants were given 30 minutes to complete their art pieces. The competition was completed in all but Region 3 and the focus in each region was as follows:

• Region 1 – Bundurey Crab
• Region 2 – Hanaqua
• Region 4 – Manatee
• Region 5 – Ocelot
• Region 6 – Canje Pheasant
• Region 7 – Jaguar
• Region 8 – Puma
• Region 9 – Cock-of-the-Rock
• Region 10 – Iguana

In each region, judges determined the art pieces they deemed the best three and participants were awarded with the Cummings-Parsram prize for Wildlife Art for their drawings.

The third event was a Panel discussion for secondary school students. Students from the Grade 9 level of selected schools were invited to participate in a discussion on topical issues relating to wildlife. These discussions focused on wildlife that are present in Guyana and to which the students could relate to in their specific region. The discussions were guided by staff of the GWCMC and allowed students to understand the important role wildlife plays in maintaining life on earth, laws and regulations governing the use of wildlife in Guyana and positive actions that will result in the preservation and conservation of wildlife.

This event will be an annual feature with the overall aim of changing attitudes and perceptions towards wildlife in Guyana.