The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE two Romanian tourists who stuffed 13 iguanas into socks and smuggled them out of the Bahamas last month were a part of an international illegal racket which sells the critically endangered animals for thousands of dollars, according to Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage.

Mr Nottage said officials learned that there were plans to sell the male San Salvador rock iguanas for $10,000 and the females for $30,000.

It is believed that the animals were caught in New Providence.

When the women were stopped at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 by United Kingdom customs officers on February 4, the iguanas were concealed in a suitcase.

Officials believe they were attempting to smuggle the iguanas into Dusseldorf, Germany.

Tragically, only 12 of the iguanas survived the journey. Dr Nottage said authorities found that they initially intended to smuggle more than 50 iguanas.

The two women, ages 24 and 26, were arrested on suspicion of importation offences.

With only a few hundred of these creatures, native to the Bahamas, alive, the San Salvador rock iguana is considered extremely rare and near extinction. All rock iguanas in the Bahamas are protected by the Wild Animals Protection Act.

After being informed of the incident by The Tribune, Eric Carey Executive Director of Bahamas National Trust (BNT) raised several questions.

“The questions is: What was their route of departure out of the Bahamas? (If they) went through Nassau to Heathrow via British Airways direct from Nassau, then there is no interaction with Bahamas Customs. As far as I am aware, in this scenario, they would be processed by airline personnel, and airport security,” Mr Carey said.

This incident highlighted one of the biggest challenges facing the BNT. The organisation finds it extremely challenging to effectively police the wide areas of protected land in the Bahamas because of a lack of resources and a shortage of personnel.

“The enforcement of any wildlife laws are difficult – whether inside or outside of national parks,” Mr Carey said. “As an example, our recently completed management plan for the Andros West Side National Park prescribes that we need 17–20 persons to effectively manage this park alone. We currently have one full time park warden dedicated to this important system. And yes, there are iguanas there.”

Subspecies of rock iguanas are found on Andros, San Salvador, Acklins, Mayaguana and in the Exuma Cays. Mr Carey said that the removal of even one of these animals from this dwindling population is of grave concern.