Julian Stanley Kenny
- Zoologist

Professor Julian Kenny was a zoologist who made his mark documenting the natural history of the Caribbean.  His research uncovered details on the distribution of freshwater fish species in Trinidad and Tobago and provided information on the species of anurans to be found in these islands.  He also spearheaded research at the University of the West Indies (UWI), which highlighted information on the ecological dynamics of some of the country’s natural areas, including its savannas, wetlands, cave systems, marine systems and coral reefs.  His work contributed to the protection of sensitive ecosystems, the management of fisheries and the development of a National Trust.

Julian Kenny was born in Woodbrook, Trinidad on 27th January 1930.  He attended Belmont Intermediate School and then St. Mary’s College where he wrote Higher Certificate examinations.  He completed Grade 13 at a Canadian Boarding School, and was 17 when he entered the University of Toronto to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in science.  After graduating in 1951, he worked at a fisheries laboratory in the north of Toronto.  When he returned to Trinidad, he joined the staff of the forerunner to the Fisheries Division as a scientific officer.  He spent nine years there, leaving in the post of Senior Fisheries Officer.  He completed his doctorate from Birkbeck College of the University of London in 1963, and in that same year, joined the staff of the Department of Biological Sciences at UWI, St. Augustine.

Professor Kenny spent 29 years on staff in the Department of Life Sciences at UWI, St. Augustine.  He was a lecturer on various aspects of Zoology, but was best known for his work in zoogeography - a specialised branch of ecology which studies the factors influencing the distribution of animals - and his knowledge of the natural history of the Caribbean.  He worked extensively with research students at UWI developing ecological profiles of the Tamana Caves, the Caroni Swamp and the Aripo Savannas.

He attained his doctoral degree at Birkbeck College, London, with a study of feeding mechanisms of anuran (frog) larvae.  This work was extended to active research on the distribution of frogs, toads and other anuran species in Trinidad and Tobago.  He also researched and published studies of the distribution of freshwater fishes.  In this research, the involvement or impact of man’s activities (anthropogenic factors) has been noted in animal distributions.

An interest in fisheries research, which developed during his post-graduate years in Toronto, led to an early assignment at the Fisheries Division in Trinidad and Tobago.  While working as a Fisheries Officer, he contributed to the introduction of new protocols in fisheries management.  These included the establishment of a flying fish industry in Tobago; a system to document and evaluate the types of fish caught by age; and the special codes for marking and identification of authorised fishing vessels.

His reputation as a scientist and his advocacy of environmental issues recommended him to many national committees.  He has functioned as an Advisor to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Law of the Sea Convention; Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Marine Affairs; Member of a Cabinet-appointed Committee for drafting legislation to create National Parks; and the Chairman of the Environmental Management Authority.

Professor Kenny was also an avid diver and nature photographer.  He documented the wildlife - from native orchids to landscapes - of Trinidad and Tobago extensively and produced several books featuring his photography.  Among them are “Views from the Bridge - A Memoir on the Freshwater Fishes of Trinidad and Tobago”; “A View from the Ridge - Exploring the Natural History of Trinidad and Tobago” and “The Native Orchids of the Eastern Caribbean.”  He has donated copies of all his publications and more than 40 years of research and scientific study to the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) of Trinidad and Tobago.

On August 9th 2011, the environmentalist, scientist, lecturer, photographer and author Professor Julian Kenny passed away at the age of 81 years.

Sources:

Interview with Julian Kenny.

Selected Publications:

Kenny, J. S., Quesnel, V. C., Underwood, G. and Williams, E. E. (1959) The anoles of the Eastern Caribbean (Sauria, Iguanidae). Parts I-III. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 121(5): 187-227.

Kenny, J. S. (1967) Feeding mechanisms in anuran larvae. Journal of Zoology (London) 157, 225-246.

Kenny, J. S. (1969) The Amphibia of Trinidad, Studies on the Fauna of Curacao, 29, No. 108, 1-78.

Kenny, J. S. (1976) A Preliminary Study of the Buccoo Reef/Bon Accord Complex, with Special Reference to Development and Management. Department of Biological Sciences, University of the West Indies, Trinidad. 123 pp.

Kenny, J. S. (1981) Caribbean commonwealth fisheries: Some developmental problems and developmental strategies. In: Maritime issues in the Caribbean: Proceedings of a conference held at Florida International University 13 April, 1981. Jhabvala, F., (Ed.) pp. 98-108, University Presses, Florida.

Kenny, J.S. (1987) The native Orchids of the Eastern Caribbean. London, Macmillan Caribbean. 88p.

Kenny, J.S. (1988) Hermatypic scleractinian corals of Trinidad. Studies of the fauna of Curaçao and other Caribbean islands No. 123: 83-100.

Kenny, J. S. (1995) Views from the Bridge: A memoir on the freshwater fishes of Trinidad. Julian Kenny, Port of Spain, Trinidad. 98 p.

Kenny, J. S. (2000) Views from the Ridge: Exploring the natural history of Trinidad and Tobago. Prospect Press, Trinidad and Tobago. 162 p.

Education:

Belmont Intermediate School

St. Mary’s College

University of Toronto

Birkbeck College, University of London