1. Michele D. Singh michele.singh@gmail.com
NEOTROPICAL WILDLIFE PRODUCTION: Protecting the Environment through Sustainable Agriculture
Michele D. Singh

2. Rationale Increasing cost of grain on the international market
Decreased exportation of food from developed countries to developing countries
Need to investigate indigenous flora and fauna for food

3. Rationale Caribbean is a net importer of food
Opportunity to develop local flora and fauna for food
Indigenous species of plant and animals are not fully understood/investigated
Indigenous species are well adapted to the environmental conditions of the tropics

4. Neotropics 70% of World Biodiversity 604 species of birds
502 species of reptiles
140 species of amphibians
89 species of mammals
(Ojasti 1996); (Garcia 2008)

5. Neotropical Animals
We forget that all the meat that we now consume….comes from animals that were once wild
The Muscovy Duck, Turkey and Guinea Pig all originate in this part of the world!

6. The Current Situation
Hunting is the most common method for getting wildmeat
Most hunting is controlled by laws with high levels of poaching
Need to seek alternative methods for providing wildmeat to meet growing demands

7. Wild-Caught Animals Trinidad & Tobago, 2010 - 2012 (Hunter Return Cards, Forestry Division)
Year
Agouti
Deer
Lappe
Wild Hog
2010
22,441.00
1,939.00
3,796.00
348.00
2011
18,772.00
2,115.00
162.00
2012
23,911.00
2,331.00
4,250.00
387.00

8. Neotropical Wildlife Black River Conchs Cascadura Spectacled Caiman
Matte/Salipinter

9. Neotropical Wildlife Red Brocket Deer Agouti Quenk/Wild Hog
Lappe/labba

10. Nine Banded Armadillo/Tattoo
Porcupine
Green Iguana
Nine Banded Armadillo/Tattoo
Oppossum/
Manicou

11. Red
Tailed
Boa
Capybara
Guinea Pigs

12. Factors Affecting Animal Production
Housing & the Environment
Feeding & Nutrition
Genetics & Breeding
Health & Disease
Socio-Economic
Physiological
States

13. NEOTROPICAL ANIMAL UTILIZATION
Education
Research
Recreation
Conservation

14. Utilization The Agro-Eco Tourism Opportunity

15. Alligator Farming Everglades, Florida

16. Snake Farming Asia

17. Butterfly Farming St. Martin

18. Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)

19. Agouti - Housing & Env. Floor pens – breeding colonies Wire cages
Concrete floor
Not wood –gnaw, not dirt-burrow
No sweat glands- provide clean fresh water (cups/troughs)
Wood to gnaw
Feed trough/cup (metal)

20. Agouti Feeding & Nutrition
Frugivores (fruits, berries, seeds, vegetables)
Feed availablevailable fruits and vegs. and forages
Feed 50g/adult/day

21. Agouti Breeding & Genetics
7 Diff. colors: Black, White, Brown, Gold, Brown with golden rump, white with golden rump, brown with white feet
Male:Female ratio- 1:5 or 1:10
Gestation- 115 days, 2-3 young

22. Utilization Food!

23. NUTRIENT CONTENT OF NEOTROPICAL ANIMALS VS CHICKEN
PROTEIN %
FATS
Agouti 23
0.75
Lappe 25
1.23
Tattoo 20
1.43
Quenk 26
0.47
Capybara
0.45
Guinea Pig 21 2
Iguana 24
3.49
Tegu/Matte 4
CHICKEN 14
~30
(Source: Saadoun and Cabrera 2008)

24. Neo Tropical Animal Utilization and Cuisine
Chicken
Manicou
Rabbit
Agouti

25. Neo Tropical Animal Cuisine.
Manicou/Opposum
Chicken

26. Neo Tropical Animal Cuisine
Agouti
Chicken

27. Neo tropical Cuisine
Peccary

28. NEOTROPICAL ANIMAL SPECIES WITH OPPORTUNITIES
5lb Guinea Pig
145 USD/plate
Guinea Pig

29. Neo tropical Cuisine
Guinea Pig

30. Spectacled Caiman

31. Neo Tropical Animal Cuisine

32. Neo Tropical Animal Cuisine

33. Caiman/Alligator Leather (Melanosuchus niger)
Durable & pliable
SA caiman is one of the most valuable and exotic leathers available on the market.
Its savage beauty makes is the diamond star of the leather industry

34. Rhea - Feathers
Rhea
(Rhea americana)

35. Neo Tropical Animal Cuisine
Rhea Meat

36. Neo Tropical Animal Utilization
Peccary Leather
Caiman leather

37. Neo Tropical Animal Utilization
Armadillo/Tattoo shell

38. Neo Tropical Animal Utilization
Armadillo/Tattoo shell

39. Conclusion There is a high demand for neotropical animal meat & Skin
Wildlife may be farmed to increase production-Reduce hunting pressure
Neotropical animals have the potential to become a protein source in the neotropics, reducing meat importation and developing sustainable food security

40. Thank You!