Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl and Oropouche Lagoon
Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust:
This sanctuary is located on the grounds of the Pointe-à-Pierre oil refinery. The Trust protects endangered birds and waterfowl, and breeds other birds for return to natural wildlife areas. There are trails and a learning centre. Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust offers environmental education and public awareness; research, breeding and re-introduction programmes for locally endangered, wetland birds; lobby for improved environmental policies; promote and implement the wise use of our natural resources.
The Point-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust conservation area breeds endangered species of waterfowl and birds and re-introduces them into natural wildlife areas. The national bird, the Scarlet Ibis and the White Ibis breed in captivity here. It encompasses 26 hectares and 2 lakes and is located within a large petrochemical complex. A forest trail has been created near the lakes and there is an Environmental Learning Centre. This Centre houses a library, a small museum containing unique Amerindian artefacts, audio-visual room and a souvenir shop.
The Trust is an wetland habitat, is a peaceful haven where members (approximately 2,000) and visitors may relax, enjoy bird-watching, photography and interpretative trails. The Learning Centre houses information dealing with living organisms and their habitats, a Unique Mollusc Collection and a small but comprehensive Amerindian Museum.
Address and Contact:
The Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust,
c/o 38 La Reine Townhouse, Flagstaff Hill, Long Circular Road, St. James, Trinidad, West Indies.
Phone Numbers: 1(868) 628-4145 or 1(868) 622-0238 (Port of Spain) or 1(868) 658-4200 extension 2512 (Pointe-a-Pierre)
Fax Numbers
1(868) 628-4145 or 1(868) 658-2513
Email: wild...@petrotrin.com
Website: http://www.petrotrin.com/WildFowlWeb/Default.htm
Oropouche Lagoon:
These wetlands are profuse with wildlife, including butterflies — of which Trinidad has more than 600 species. The cremation site, Shore of Peace, is also situated here. The Oropouche Lagoon is a scenic mangrove swamp and lies just over 5 km / 3 miles from the attractions of San Fernando. The lagoon runs alongside to the South Oropouche River and the area floods quite nicely in the wet season, transforming it into marshland. This locale offers awesome bird watching and boasts many different species of butterflies (Trinidad has 602 species), with fish and shrimp-rich waters. Endangered birds bred at the Point-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust are released here.
The Godineau River in south Trinidad, also known as the South Oropouche River, is one of the rivers in Trinidad that provides a year round kayaking opportunity, as the water level is always sufficient. Kayaking in the Godineau area takes you through a variety of habitats, from saltwater mangrove swamp to fresh water marshland to partially cultivated areas. Much birdlife and roosting scarlet ibis can be seen here. Enquire at the Trust about visiting.
Address and Contact:
Oropouche Lagoon
Off South Trunk Road, Oropouche, San Fernando, Trinidad.
(868) 675-7034(Tourism Dept.)
To visit, go with a tour operator/ guide. The cremation site here is called the Shore of Peace. For more information or to reserve, call Petrotrin at 658-4200 ext. 2512, or Molly Gaskin at 628-4145.