It's that time of year again when Grand Cayman's baby blues must step out and find their way in the world, to take responsibility for themselves in the wild! 5 young iguanas came of age in 2001 and were released into the QE II Botanic Park on January 13th. This release brought the only wild Blue Iguana population, in the world, to approximately 160.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas (Cyclura nubila lewisi) are unique to Grand Cayman. Due to rapid deforestation of their habitat, illegal trapping and dogs and cats hunting them, they are threatened by extinction. Thanks to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands' Blue Iguana Conservation Programme which has successfully combined field research, captive-breeding, public education, habitat protection, reintroduction and release, the future for Grand Cayman's unique iguanas looks bright!

The Grand Cayman Blue Iguana captive-breeding programme is made possible by Penny Clifford, Anne McFarlane, Tom and Phyllis Abate, Mars Van Liefde, Spud Shultz, Penny and Becky Thompson, Lois Blumenthal and family, Kirk Huldeen, Fred Burton, and Trudy Ottolini, who all volunteer their time by driving out to the Botanic Park weekly to feed and care for the iguanas.

The volunteers regularly bring flowers and fruit to the iguanas to supplement their diet of rabbit food, thus preparing them for the wild. Their time and dedication is vital to the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme - they make it happen!!

The release of the 5 Blue Iguanas was a great opportunity to raise public awareness of the success of this conservation programme, praise the many volunteers who make the captive breeding programme possible, raise funds for the continuation of endangered species conservation projects and involve more people in the Trust's activities.

Eats Café and Legendz, CITN, Robert Sabin, Seaview and America Band and The Department of Environment have each adopted one the Blues. Their commitment to species conservation in the Cayman Islands is greatly appreciated! The Trust's Blue Iguana Conservation Programme has attracted much international support and co-operation, because of its goals and continued success in turning around what might have been a bleak future for our unique iguanas. For more information on the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme, or any other Trust project please call (345)949-0121 or stop by the Trust House (Courts Road, off Eastern Avenue). To see the magnificent Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas visit the QE II Botanic Park iguana enclosure or you might be lucky and see a wild one!

Let Loose the Blues!

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