On April 27, 2026 the EMC Foundation hosted a Giant River Otter Training session, bringing together approximately 20 participants from key agencies and communities engaged in the conservation of the Giant River Otter. Attendees included representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC), Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), as well as participants from Tapakuma, Karanambu and surrounding communities.
The session was led by Dr. Francis Clarke, an ecologist with over 20 years of experience, who delivered a series of engaging and practical presentations. These focused on giant river otter ecology, behaviour, habitat, and key threats to the species. Participants were introduced to identification techniques, including the use of the otters’ distinctive throat markings, as well as important field signs such as dens, tracks, scat, and campsites. Dr. Clarke also demonstrated how individual otters can be distinguished using these markings, an approach that strengthens long-term monitoring efforts.
Building on this foundation, Dr. Clarke outlined the EMC Foundation’s ongoing monitoring programme within the Mahaica Watershed. He highlighted a range of methods used to track otter presence, including boat-based surveys, sign surveys, camera trapping, and the integration of local ecological knowledge. Early findings from the programme were shared, confirming the presence of multiple otters within the watershed.
Participants also engaged in questionnaire training sessions, where they learned effective techniques for conducting interviews, accurately recording responses, and mapping sightings and field observations. Throughout the training, emphasis was placed on the critical role of community involvement in establishing a reliable, long-term conservation and monitoring framework.
The session concluded with a hands-on river monitoring exercise along the Mahaica River and the Lama Canal, providing participants with the opportunity to apply the techniques discussed. During the exercise the team recorded a range of wildlife, including caimans, canje pheasants, parrots, macaws, and red howler monkeys. They also identified both old and potential otter dens and campsites within the surrounding habitat, reinforcing the importance of continued monitoring and conservation efforts in the area.
The Giant River Otter Conservation Program is being implemented by the EMC Foundation with support from the ExxonMobil Foundation.
Dr. Francis Clarke Facilitating the Session
Participants During the Giant River Otter Training
Participants Engaged in Practical Questionnaire Session
Participants During the River Monitoring Exercise
The EMC Foundation was established by Mr. Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship. The Foundation works to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities which encourage a greater understanding of the environment, creating a network to connect like-minded persons, and providing opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.