Wild Tobago

Two Trinidadians share their experiences of Tobago when they return to the land of their birth after two years   Julie Baker was born and grew up in Pointe-à-Pierre. She worked at Amnesty International Secretariat in London. After her children were born, she became a primary school teacher, and retired in 2019 after nearly 30 years.  She is now married to Tim Baker-Bartholomew, an actor and writer, with three boys of his own.  With grown up children, their shared interests are birding and gardening.  Julie is a stained-glass artist. She is the daughter of Richard ffrench (A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.)     Tobago is my happy place. I got married on Stonehaven beach in 2008, and Tim and I have been back nearly every year since then, until the pandemic hit.    Tobago is where we came during school holidays, often staying at the Turpin’s beach houses in Charlotteville. I have wonderful memories of family time, swimming and ...

There’s much more than potential oil and gas deposits to be found in the Trinity Hills. Faraaz Abdool recounts his exploration. All photos by Faraaz Abdool   The mountain ranges of TT hold universal appeal as the most conspicuous natural features of our tiny islands. Visible from considerable distance, they rise above the plains of central Trinidad and plunge into the ocean surrounding northeast Tobago. On Tobago, there is the Main Ridge. On Trinidad, there are three distinct mountain ranges. While the first two are simply Northern Range and Central Range, the mysterious third range is distinctive and eloquent, Trinity Hills. I use the term “mysterious” as the Trinity Hills lies in Trinidad’s remote southeast. The towering Northern Range is backdrop to the most densely populated area on the island and straddles the width of Trinidad. The Central Range is plainly visible from the main north-south thoroughfare along the western portion of the island. But the Trinity Hills is ne...

It’s not too early to begin preparing for summer sargassum.   Dr Anjani Ganase reviews the latest Sargassum White Paper generated by the United Nations Environmental Programme. The big picture requires trans-Atlantic cooperation - West Africa and Brazil   to fully understand the annual sargassum influx .   Since 2011 and persisting to today, sargassum has been washing up on beaches and coasts of the Caribbean and South and Central America as regular summer events. The highest amounts to date were 27 million tonnes (estimated) of sargassum washed up in 2018; with 20 million tonnes in 2019.   Amazon and Sahara While the two species of sargassum ( S. natans and S. fluitans ) that wash up on our shores naturally occur and grow in oceanic gyres (in the mid-Atlantic), the excessive amount of algal blooms transported is new. Scientists are now certain that these blooms are the result of increased nutrient outflow from the Amazonian basin, mixed...

The ocean is an unending source of wonder. Dr Anjani Ganase discusses a few of the discoveries made in 2021 including the realization that protection should be secured by cooperation among all nations working together.   Let’s support ocean exploration and discoveries in our ocean backyard. Photo of Tobago’s reefs courtesy The Maritime Ocean Collection.   REGENERATION FROM A DECAPITATED HEAD Scientists have discovered two species of sea slugs that can regenerate the whole body including major organs such as the heart and intestines, from a decapitated head. The wound at the site of decapitation healed within the day and the severed head continues to be mobile for feeding. The slug regrew a heart within seven days with full regeneration in less than 20 days. However, survival after decapitation only happened in the young slugs; while slugs older than a year (or if they had parasites) eventually died. Scientists have theorized that because these slugs in...

  Cuffie River Nature Retreat which may be a well-kept secret in TT but has quietly developed an international reputation among birders. Faraaz Abdool presents a few of the birds to be seen here. All photos by Faraaz Abdool   Say “Tobago’s leading nature retreat”, and the temptation is to think of rugged, bare-bones accommodation with a healthy helping of untamed nature. But Cuffie River Nature Retreat in Runnemede is a stunning world class eco-lodge offering purpose-built amenities, exquisite cuisine, homely hospitality and comfort. Located a few minutes off Northside Road, the path twists around hills as it descends to the river. The dense forest shields the lodge and its occupants from any man-made noise. Your soundtrack becomes flowing water, the wind rustling through leaves, and birdsong. Birds are the main reason for most guests at Cuffie River, many of them flying thousands of miles to get here. Is birding at Cuffie River Nature Retreat so special? A Copper-rump...