The Trini Environmentalist

  What is a Tayra (forest dog)? A Tayra is a small dog-like animal that lives in the forest. Its scientific name is Eira Barbara and is a part of the weasel family. It is also called the Forest Dog, High Wood Dog, or Chien Bois. Tayras are carnivorous mammals. They have four legs and a long bushy tail. Their fur is very coarse and dark, usually brown, or black. As Tayras get older, the fur on the top of their neck and head gets lighter. They can range in weight from 2.7 to 7 kilograms and can measure between 60 to 68 centimetres with the length of their tail ranging between 39 to 47 centimetres. Figure 1: Showing a Tayra on a tree branch (Just Fun Facts 2020) What should we know about Tayras? Tayras have been identified as a locally endangered species, meaning that they cannot be hunted, and all conservation efforts are being used to protect this animal. These mammals usually stay in the forest, but they travel wide ranges. They feed on small vertebrates, fruits, and sometimes ...

What are Ocelots? In Trinidad and Tobago there is only one wild cat native to our shores and that is the Ocelot (Scientific name: Leopardus paradalis ). It was once found on both of our islands, but now it is only found in Trinidad. Although the Ocelot is considered a wild cat, it is quite small in size ranging between 68 centimetres and 145 centimetres and weighs between 18 and 40 pounds. These majestic wild cats are the largest predatory land mammals in Trinidad, putting it at the top of the food chain. It has black spots with tan or reddish fur, like a Leopard. It is found throughout Tropical and Sub-tropical forests ranging from North America to South America. Figure 1: showing an Ocelot on a log (Stock 2021) What is their status? According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Ocelots are listed under the “Least Concern” category, meaning that their existence is not at risk. However, in Trinidad and Tobago it is estimated that the population of Ocelots i...

What are Manatees? Manatees, though they live in water, are classified as mammals because they come up to the surface every three to five minutes to get oxygen through their nostrils. In the Caribbean, we have the West Indian Manatee (Latin Name: Trichechus Manatus), also known as the ‘Sea Cow’. These gentle giants can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh up to 1200 pounds. Their diet consists of seagrasses and small invertebrates, consuming up to 15% of their body weight in vegetation. It is believed that the lack of predators in Trinidad and Tobago allows our Manatees to live up to sixty (60) years. Figure 1: showing a manatee floating (WNW Press Release 2021) What is the Status of our Manatees? In Trinidad, the Nariva Swamp is the most well-known habitat for manatees. However, based on an evaluation by UNEP/CEP in 1995, they determined that the manatee population consisted of twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) individuals in total. At that time the trend was that the population was de...