It is a relatively well known fact that Guyana is home to a huge number of animals and a population of over 500 bird species, some of which can be spotted here in Georgetown. However, if you don’t fancy searching the skies, donning a pair of binoculars or setting up camp in your closest mango tree, there is a simpler way to experience wildlife in the capital.

It is a relatively well known fact that Guyana is home to a huge number of animals and a population of over 500 bird species, some of which can be spotted here in Georgetown. However, if you don’t fancy searching the skies, donning a pair of binoculars or setting up camp in your closest mango tree, there is a simpler way to experience wildlife in the capital.

The National Park is home to a herd of friendly manatees that I had the pleasure of meeting back in October.

They’re descendants of those brought into captivity in the late 1800s.

If you have an hour free and you’re at a loss for something to do, it’s the perfect way to experience nature and have a time-out from the hustle and bustle of town.

If you’re entering the park from Carifesta, you just need to walk along the main walkway out of the parking lot, past the monument that looks like a sun to your left and keep going until you see a large pond — your destination!

Be sure to read the very informative sign on manatee bullying before approaching the pond to remind yourself to stifle the urge to punch, pinch, slap or otherwise harm the manatees.

If you’re coming in the Thomas lands entrance, just take a right, walk past the sports pitches on your left and follow the path round to the top of the park. The pond is on your right (both are around a 5 minute walk).

Don’t be disheartened if upon arrival you find yourself staring blankly into the dark, murky water — the manatees are there, but unfortunately, they don’t just surface for anyone! They are greedy herbivores so the first thing you will need is to grab a large handful of long grass which grows around the pond. Secondly, assume your most balanced pose at the water’s edge and finally, dangle as much of your grass into the water as possible while keeping hold of the other end. It’s best to shake the grass around in a tantalizing fashion to attract their attention.

Manatee!

Now this is where patience is a virtue, keep shaking your grass like a Polaroid picture and eventually the manatees will appear.

If you are anything like me and suffer from a somewhat nervous disposition, try not to fall in when a big, shiny, grey snout suddenly protrudes from the water and starts devouring your grass. It’s also advisable not to attempt a tug-of-war with a manatee; at the height of maturity they can grow up to three meters in length and they’ve got the strength to match.

The manatees will gladly continue to munch for as long as you’re happy to feed them. You’ll notice once one arrives the rest will follow and you will soon be hosting a whole family of manatees — mum, dad, grandparents, aunts and cousins twice removed. (They’re trying to limit the interbreeding…)

Georgetown is the only captive population of reproducing manatees in the world and their numbers are increasing every year.

The Protected Areas Commission is currently working with a global team of manatee experts to implement a full management and care plan for the Georgetown manatee massive. .

There are also supposedly manatees in the ponds at the Botanical Gardens. However after spending a good 20 minutes looking like a lunatic, shaking grass into the water to no avail, I concluded it must be a rumour. Either that, or the manatees were offended I had been cheating on them with the National Park herd.

A final few words of warning, after any periods of significant rainfall the land near the pond edge can become a little swampy, so watch your step. Finally, if you’re a tasty treat for the mosquitoes make sure you take some repellant as the manatees aren’t the only ones who like maxing and relaxing down at the pond!