About the PSG

The Pawi Study Group (PSG) was formed in 2004 to bring together individuals and groups which were interested in the Trinidad Piping-guan (Pawi) for the purpose of learning more about the bird and actively promoting its conservation. Over the years the PSG has developed a diverse membership including people from many disciplines, backgrounds, nationalities and organizations offering a wide array of skills, experiences and viewpoints to deal with the problems relating to the study and conservation of Pawi.

Since its formation the PSG has been involved in education and awareness projects, workshops, behavioural studies (with both captive and wild birds), ecological studies, health monitoring work and sociological projects. You can get a better idea of what these projects entail in our Projects and activities section.

Wild Pawi at Grande Riviere; field work; conservation sign; captive Pawi in Trinidad

Mission

To increase knowledge and understanding of the endemic and endangered Trinidad Piping-guan while promoting the conservation of this bird and its habitat through awareness raising and public support

Veterinary examination of captive Pawi; awareness workshop at Grande Riviere; Pawi at local Carnival

Membership

At present membership is very informal, there are no fees or forms, you need only be interested in helping the group to fulfil its mission. If interested please contact us at:

• The Pawi Study Group
  c/o The University of the West Indies
  St. Augustine
  Trinidad and Tobago
• E-mail: Kerrie Naranjit (Chairman)

Our membership comprises mainly staff and students of the University of the West Indies and its School of Veterinary Medicine, Mt. Hope, staff of the Emperor Valley Zoo and the Asa Wright Nature Centre, and members of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, the University of the West Indies Biological Society, and the Trinidad and Tobago Veterinary Association, but includes members of other organizations as well as concerned individuals.

Former PSG chairman Howard Nelson and his wife Ellie Devenish with founding chairman John Cooper;
former co-chair Alësha Naranjit and Spike (tree porcupine); former secretary Srishti Mohais and current chair Kerrie Naranjit;
member's birthday cake

Reporting Pawi Sightings

Let us know if you see any Pawi, how many you see, where they were and what they were doing. All sightings are potentially valuable in our research aimed at saving the Pawi.
Please report sightings online: Online form [Not functional at present due to demise of geocities.com]

Affiliations

Locally, the PSG is closely affiliated with the Environmental Management Authority and the Wildlife Section of the Forestry Division, the government agencies responsible for most of the practical conservation work done on the Pawi and also help with the legal and ethical issues involved in our work on this endangered, endemic bird. Internationally the PSG is affiliated with the World Pheasant Association which has supported our work both financially and in an advisory capacity.

About the Pawi : Contact us : How you can help : Projects and activities : PSG home page