Since the return of the Bahamian Rock
Iguanas taken from The Bahamas in February 2014, nine of the thirteen animals
that were smuggled out of the country, survived.
These nine remaining iguanas were housed in
specially-built quarantine facilities under the care and supervision of Dr. Thomas
Rothfus and the team at the Gerace Research Center in San Salvador since July 9th,
2014. The animals were repatriated during the week of The Bahamas’ 41st
Independence celebrations.
The Bahamas Environment Science &
Technology (BEST) Commission, in consultation with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT)
and a team of Iguana Specialists coordinated by Mrs. Sandra Buckner,
herpetologist, ensured that the critically endangered species were allowed to
naturally reacclimatize to the Bahamian environment.
Further, the Commission and the Ministry of
the Environment and Housing in discussions with the Office of the Prime Minister,
the Department of Lands and Surveys and The Bahamas National Trust, mounted
efforts to assess possible relocation sites for which these animals could be
released back into the wild. A team led by Mr. Philip Weech, Director of the BEST
Commission, Mrs. Sandra Buckner, Lindey Knowles and Dr. Ethan Freid of BNT visited
and assessed various sites to determine
their suitability for release of the iguanas.
The iguanas were released back into the
wild, following their transport from San Salvador on Saturday September 13,
2014.
The Director BEST Commission was quoted as
saying:
“The long journey of the thirteen
Rock Iguanas smuggled from The Bahamas has now ended. Four of the animals died
in the process of being smuggled out of the Bahamas and upon return to The
Bahamas. The remaining nine iguanas following their quarantine were assessed to
be healthy enough to fend for themselves and have now been released.”
He stated further,
“The repatriation effort would not have been possible without the
assistance of members of the public and private citizens who have devoted their
time and efforts to this process.”
The MOTE&H extended its thanks to a
host of government departments and agencies, representatives of the Bahamas National
Trust, and the staff of the College of The Bahamas Gerace Research Center in
San Salvador, CITES, and the Bahamas High Commission in the United Kingdom.
Bahamas statement on the death of 3 repatriated Rock Iguanas
Stolen San Salvador Rock Iguanas Return Home to The Bahamas
Two Women Charged with Smuggling of Bahamian Iguanas
