Wichabai Ranch calls for justice for slain tour guide

Wichabai Ranch yesterday called for justice for slain tour guide Leon Baird and said it believed his killing was because of  cattle rustling which it said remains unresolved by the authorities.

A statement from the ranch follows:

Official Statement from Wichabai Ranch regarding the Violent Death of Leon ‘Rasta’ Baird At Wichabai

We are grieving deeply over the recent loss of our friend and family member, Leon ‘Rasta’. He had all the qualities you could ask for in a friend and colleague. He was thoughtful, energetic, loyal, and always honest. He despised dishonesty and meanness. He was generous with his time, his possessions, his money, and his knowledge.

Leon ‘Rasta’ was one of the most skilled people we know. Not only was he a celebrated tour guide and a vaquero, he was also a senior ranger with the South Rupununi Conservation Society and a co-author of several academic articles about biodiversity in the Rupununi. Rasta was a river-trip boat captain, leading expeditions into the furthest parts of Guyana’s wilderness.

He was also an excellent cook. Rasta could fix any engine and change any wheel using whatever tools he found around the place. He could light a fire in the pouring rain.

He loved animals. He took such good care of the horses, cattle, capybaras, and orphaned anteaters. He realised that one anteater particularly loved a certain species of white termites, and he would go into the forest to collect them specially. Rasta took care of all the children on our ranch as if they were his own. He was the first person to put them on the back of a horse. He taught them how to harvest açai and find kukerite worms. We can hardly imagine our life here without Rasta. We are heartbroken.

From all around the world, and across Guyana, we have received messages from people who knew and loved Rasta. Thank you so much for your thoughts, your kind words, and your support. We know many of you are grieving now too. It is comforting to know that Rasta has influenced the lives of so many people. We also want to thank all of you who have made statements remembering him and expressing your wish that his killers be brought to justice. This is our ardent wish as well.

Thank you to the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce for reaching out to offer us condolences and support during this difficult time. Thank you to our partners-the South Rupununi District Council, Rupununi Livestock Producers’ Association, Visit Rupununi, and the South Rupununi Conservation Society-who released statements calling for justice. Numerous other individuals have lent their voices to this call, and we are grateful to have your backing in this difficult matter.

We are working closely with the Police, local CPGs, and village leaders to ensure that justice prevails. Thank you to all those working towards this end. We appreciate the dedication shown in seeking justice for this atrocity.

Rasta died because he came across a crime being committed. This crime is the theft, slaughter, and illegal sale of private cattle. It is a crime that is perpetrated repeatedly in the Rupununi and has never been resolved by the authorities. We have one message and it is this: let Rasta’s death not be in vain. Let us use this as the force we need to catch these criminals and remove them from our communities, north and south, and to enforce Zero Tolerance for cattle rustling. This is an achievable goal, and with all agencies working together, it can be done.

Justice for Rasta. Justice for the Rupununi.

Wichabai Ranch