‘Otter lady’ Diane McTurk wins tourism ‘Pioneer Award’

By: Reuben Stoby

The loud applause went on for well over a minute when the woman known as the ‘Otter Lady’ was called up to receive the Tourism Pioneer Award. That woman was Diane McTurk and the occasion was the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority’s fourth Guyana Tourism Awards Ceremony, held at the Guyana International Conference Centre on Friday December 10. 

Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad hailed McTurk as one of the persons who helped to shape tourism in Guyana.  “We are really the new kids on the block in tourism….But over 20 years ago, and even before that, there were some pioneers like Diane McTurk, Paul Stephenson, Colin Edwards and Kit Nascimento …who, without any reward, started up some form of tourist attraction,” Minister Prashad said. 

Master of Ceremonies Ron Robinson, who declared that it was an honour to introduce McTurk, noted that she is the visionary behind both the Karanambu Trust and the Karanambu Lodge, located in the North Rupununi. He added that McTurk is especially noted for her work in rehabilitating orphaned or injured giant river otters. 

A smiling McTurk, who had also presented with the 1999 Tourism & Hospitality Award for Excellence in Conservation for her work with giant river otters, expressed delight that her work has again received recognition. 

The Karanambu Trust is a private protected area at Karanambu. The area will preserve the habitat of the otters and ensure their survival. 

According to the trust’s website, this project has created such interest that filmmakers from companies around the world, such as BBC, Yorkshire Television and Wild Things, have travelled to Karanambu to film McTurk’s work.

McTurk was born at Karanambu soon after her pioneer father Tiny McTurk established a cattle ranch there.  Tiny was also a naturalist and his daughter learned to appreciate the region’s extraordinary flora and fauna at an early age.  After attending the Wychwood School in Oxford, England, she moved to London to work in the hospitality business for the Savoy Group. 

In 1966, McTurk returned to Guyana to celebrate the country’s independence.  She subsequently became the press officer for the Guyana Sugar Producers Association.  She moved back to England briefly and worked in corporate public relations before returning to her Rupununi roots in 1976.  Like all the cattle ranches in the area at the time, Karanambu suffered a series of misfortunes: epidemics had decimated the herds, and rustlers were targeting the remaining cattle.  As a result, McTurk looked for an alternative way to make a living.  Karanambu was well known for its wildlife and spectacular fishing, and had always been a welcome rest stop for unexpected visitors.  So, in 1983, McTurk opened her home to eco-tourists.  She also offered refuge to injured or orphaned wildlife.  Sadly, the animal so affected most often was one of the most endangered: the giant otter. By necessity, McTurk became a world expert on the care and rehabilitation of this species.  She has raised more than 40 orphaned otter cubs, returning most of them to the wild for a chance at freedom.  In 1997, McTurk, with the support of her family, established the Karanambu Trust as a private charity.