It'sthat time of year again when Grand Cayman's baby blues must stepout and find their way in the world, to take responsibility forthemselves in the wild! Five young iguanas came of age in 2001 and were released intothe Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park last Saturday, January 13.
This release brought the world's only wild Blue Iguana populationto approximately 160.
Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas (Cyclura nubila lewisi) are unique toGrand Cayman. Due to rapid deforestation of their habitat, illegaltrapping and dogs and cats hunting them, they are threatened withextinction.
According to a release from the Department of Environment (DOE),the rare specie owes its conservation to the National Trust forthe Cayman Islands' Blue Iguana Conservation Programme, whichhas successfully combined field research, captive-breeding, publiceducation, habitat protection, reintroduction and release.
The Grand Cayman Blue Iguana captive-breeding programme is madepossible by Penny Clifford, Anne McFarlane, Tom and Phylis Abate,Mars Van Liefde, Spud Shultz, Penny and Becky Thompson, Lois Blumenthaland family, Kirk Huldeen, Fred Burton, and Trudy Ottolini, whoall volunteer their time by driving out to the Botanic Park weeklyto feed and care for the iguanas.
The volunteers regularly bring flowers and fruit to the iguanasto supplement their diet of rabbit food, thus preparing them forthe wild. Their time and dedication are vital to the Blue IguanaConservation Programme. They make it happen, the DOE release says.
The release of the five Blue Iguanas was a great opportunity toraise public awareness of the success of this conservation programme,praise the many volunteers who make the captive breeding programmepossible, raise funds for the continuation of endangered speciesconservation projects and involve more people in the Trust's activities.
Eats Café and Legenz Blvd, CITN, Robert Sabin, Seaviewand America Band and DOE have each adopted one the 'Blues'.
The Trust's Blue Iguana Conservation Programme has attracted muchinternational support and co-operation, because of its goals andcontinued success in turning around what might have been a bleakfuture for our unique iguanas.
To see the magnificent Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas, visit the QEII Botanic Park iguana enclosure. Or, you just might be luckyto see one in the wild!
