The EMC Foundation, led by Founder and Director Mr. Shyam Nokta, Program Coordinator Ms. Sarah Singh, and Ms. Suzanne DeAbreu, Guyana STEM Initiative Lead of the ExxonMobil Foundation, recently participated in a visit to Karanambu as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Giant River Otter Conservation Program in the Mahaica River. At Karanambu the team was hosted by Ms. Melanie Mc.Turk, Managing Director of the Karanambu Lodge.
This visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the EMC Foundation and The Karanambu Trust earlier in 2025, formalising their shared commitment to education, conservation, and scientific monitoring. Recognised as a leading centre for Giant River Otter conservation in Guyana, Karanambu Lodge offered the team valuable first-hand insight into the practices, challenges, and successes that have shaped its conservation model.
During the visit, the team learned about decades of otter rehabilitation and monitoring work conducted by the Karanambu Trust. They gained a deeper understanding of field research techniques, habitat management strategies, and community engagement approaches used to protect this endangered species.
The visit also included a trip along the Rupununi River, where the team experienced the richness of the landscape and its wildlife. Over the course of the trip, they observed more than 50 black caimans, a giant river otter, a jaguarundi, and a wide range of birds, fish, and monkeys. These experiences reinforced the team’s appreciation for the interconnectedness of species and habitats, highlighting the importance of ongoing conservation action.
Insights from the visit will directly inform the design and collaborative implementation of the Giant River Otter Conservation Program in the Mahaica River, supported by the ExxonMobil Foundation. Lessons learned at Karanambu will guide the development of context-appropriate activities, including youth engagement, community education, and scientific monitoring, all reflecting proven best practices.
The visit also provided a platform for collaborative discussions between the EMC Foundation and The Karanambu Trust, exploring opportunities for ongoing knowledge-sharing and partnership. These discussions aim not only to safeguard the Giant River Otter and the freshwater ecosystems it depends on but also to support environmental clubs in the Rupununi through the E-STEM Program being implemented by the EMC Foundation. The exchange visit marks a significant step in transforming the MoU into practical conservation action. It strengthens the EMC Foundation’s capacity to protect one of Guyana’s most iconic species while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the Mahaica Watershed.
The EMC Foundation, ExxonMobil Foundation and Karanambu Trust Teams During a Discussion at Karanambu Lodge
The EMC Foundation, ExxonMobil Foundation and Karanambu Trust Teams During an Excursion along the Rupununi River
A Few of the Wildlife Observed During the Exchange Visit (From Top Left: Black Caiman, Jaguarundi, Heron and Giant River Otter)
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.