Blue Iguanas given protection with fence

> Comment on this story

The captive breeding facility for the Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas, located in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, is no longer viewable from the Park’s woodland trail.

The high–security fence is pictured near completion. Photo: Submitted

This is an unfortunate consequence of heightened security at the facility, following the killing of seven captive Blue Iguanas in May 2008.

Donations to the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme and the National Trust in the wake of the attack have been focused both on covering the cost of a security guard and the construction of the high–security fence now in operation.

The four breeding pens which were formerly visible from the woodland trail are within the secured area and cannot be viewed from the woodland trail.

“Seeing the captive facility behind a high security fence leaves me with very mixed feelings” said Programme Director Fred Burton.

“Obviously in view of what happened last year, this is absolutely necessary, but it is very sad that we need to spend so much on physical protection for such a well–loved symbol of Cayman’s natural heritage.”

Guided tours inside the facility are still available, however: The Blue Iguana Safari tour, which offers an inside–look at the captive facility and also the free roaming iguanas throughout the park, is offered at 11am from Monday to Saturday.

Tickets are available on arrival at the Botanic Park ticket booth.