Minister of the Environment and Housing,Kenred Dorsett and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis inspect the returned iguanas at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. (BIS Photo / Raymond Bethel)

Nassau, The Bahamas -- Twelve Rock Iguanas, stolen from San Salvador and Exuma in February and smuggled into the United Kingdom were returned to the Bahamas via British Airways on July 9 escorted by UK Border Force officers, Ann Ainslie and Tim Luffman. It was reported that 13 of the endemic animals were originally captured, with one dying while en route to the UK.

"Wildlife crime is a global problem, which we can only address successfully through our collective efforts and greater cooperation," said Minister of the Environment and Housing, Kenred Dorsett, at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

He said this crime plagues animals and plants and in the Bahamian context, adversely affects Bahamian Iguanas.

Minister Dorsett said what is increasingly appearing to become a systematic pillage of the iguanas compromises the ecosystems where they are found, which can be particularly devastating on Small Island Developing States, such as The Bahamas.

Minister Dorsett said that The Bahamas is extremely pleased that in this particular case, it was a combination of happenstance and a coordinated effort between all countries involved, that the illegal trafficking of the iguanas was detected.

He said to ensure it does not happen again, it is important for countries around the world to get involved. "The participants, must include the country from which the animals are taken from the wild, the countries through which they are taken and the destination countries where they are sold. It is essential to address the problem using all tools available, including international wildlife conservation agreements such as CITES and enforcement agencies, such as Interpol," said Minister Dorsett.

The United Kingdom Border Force officers who returned the iguanas to The Bahamas are greeted by Minister of the Environment and Housing Kenred Dorsett at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. (BIS Photo / Raymond Bethel)

He thanked the government of the United Kingdom for ensuring the successful repatriation of the Iguanas and said he looks forward to working with other countries as well as Non Government Organisations to address the challenge.

"The demands for exotic species, like the Bahamian iguana are influenced by different lifestyles, cultures, and regions. This proliferation of wildlife trafficking will continue unless the proper measures are in place to identify and deter this criminal act. This incident has also heightened our awareness of the need for greater border security, additional training and stricter laws so that any future occurrences of wildlife smuggling may be quickly detected or even avoided," said Minister Dorsett.

The San Salvador Rock Iguana (Cyclura Rileyi) is one of three species of iguanas found in The Bahamas. There are three subspecies of this species, one in San Salvador, another in the Fish Cays (Bight of Acklins) and the third on White or Sandy Cay at the southern end of Exuma.

Minister Dorsett said the government has approved-in-principle the creation of the San Salvador National Park, and is confident that the park will provide protection for the sub-species found there.

Stolen San Salvador Rock Iguanas Return Home to The Bahamas