For more than a century, one family has been introducing visitors to the beauty and biodiversity of the Caroni Swamp.
Today, the operators of this long-standing Nanan’s Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary Tours say their mission extends beyond tourism to conservation, education and protecting T&T’s national bird – the Scarlet Ibis.
CEO Allister Nanan says the century-old company was established by his grandfather, Simon Nanan.
Ownership and leadership of the business were then passed to his father, Winston and today, Mr Nanan proudly continues the family legacy as its third-generation leader.
“When my father was the age of 16 years old, he was recognised and honoured by National Geographic, where they used his pictures and illustration for their centrefold, and then they took him under their bosom and they trained my dad to be one of the top ornithologists in the Caribbean. Winston Nanan was known for it. He was like a walking encyclopedia.”
As visitors float along the wetlands, they gain a better understanding of the mangrove ecosystem, home to a variety of mammals, fish, crustaceans, reptiles and birds.
“This is not just a swamp tour or a bird tour. I think when somebody goes on our boat, it’s like a classroom because the education we push on these tours is to get people more aware about our environment and how important the mangrove ecosystem is and how important the biodiversity is here in Caroni Swamp.”
The national bird of Trinidad and Tobago, the Scarlet Ibis, is one of the main attractions.
According to longstanding tour guide Khemraj Bhaggan, the species is currently in its nesting season.
“An average of three eggs are laid; the eggs are slaty grey with brown spots and markings. Incubation is about 26 days. When the young one appears, it is black in colour. After nine weeks, when they are ready to leave the nest, they get grey with white on the side.”
The company has expanded its offerings with birdwatching expeditions not only in Trinidad and Tobago but also in St Lucia, Dominica and Guadeloupe.
Beyond offering tours, Nanan’s Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary Tours advocates for the protection of the swamp and the strict enforcement of laws aimed at safeguarding the national bird from poachers.
The company also supports environmental initiatives, including a proposed ban on Styrofoam, to help reduce pollution.
Additionally, it encourages all tour operators to play their part in preserving the sanctuary by promoting responsible practices, maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem and discouraging excessive alcohol consumption during tours.