A film and research team from the National Geographic Society is scheduled to begin a twenty-one day expedition to Mount Roraima today.
The team comprises Peter Getzels, film producer; Jesus Rivas, herbatologist and climber; Bruce Means, biologist; Mireya Mayor, Primatologist; Charlotte Mangin, associate producer; professional mountain climbers, personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and personnel from Wilderness Explorers.
From this expedition, patterned after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, two one-hour television documentaries are to be produced, which will be shown on the National Geographic Network later this year. Research into Guyana's flora and fauna is also to be carried out.
Beginning their trek from Phillipi, the researchers and film crew will make their way on foot to Wyaline and then to Wyassipu before arriving at the foot of what is known as the 'prow' of Mount Roraima. A second team, which is to arrive in Guyana some time this week, will join the others by helicopter at the foot of the mountain. Expected on Tuesday are two expert rock climbers from the United States, Jared Ogden and Mark Synnott.
Frank Singh, representing Wilderness Explorers, and his assistant will also be on the expedition. Wilderness Explorers is the local handling agent for the society.
At a news briefing held at the Cara Inn yesterday to launch the trek, Getzels thanked Minister of Tourism Manzoor Nadir for the part he played in making the endeavour possible.
He further said that he was honoured by the willingness shown to have the team visit Guyana to produce the documentary. He also thanked the EPA, the Guyana Defence Force and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
The team promised to make available all findings and research material to the people of Guyana upon departure.