The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas National Trust (BNT) condemned the actions of a group of visitor who were seen harassing critically endangered iguanas on Bitter Guana Cay, Exuma, after a video of the incident surfaced online.

Photos circulating on social media show the visitors holding the iguanas by their tails and poking them with a stick, sparking public outrage.

An eyewitness claimed the group went even further, dragging the iguanas into the water despite warnings and posted signs advising against harassing or harming the animals.

The witness said they contacted boat captains and threatened to report the group if they did not stop, but their warnings were ignored.

In a statement yesterday, BNT said the group’s actions seriously threaten wildlife and undermine the species’ critical conservation efforts.

While the incident did not occur within a BNT-managed national park, the organisation stressed that protecting wildlife is a collective responsibility and that the well-being of native species, both inside and outside national parks, is of critical importance.

“These iguanas are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and hold significant ecological importance for our biodiversity and natural heritage. Any harassment, handling, or harm toward these protected animals is strictly prohibited under Bahamian law, specifically the Wild Animals Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Trade Act,” the statement said.

The BNT confirmed it has contacted the relevant authorities and agencies, including the Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network, and is prepared to assist as needed.

The organisation also noted that it recently completed a conservation action plan for another endangered species of rock iguana found in The Bahamas. One of the key recommendations in the plan is to increase education and enforcement efforts on islands frequently visited by tourists.

It said this latest incident underscores the urgent need for such measures and encouraged the public to report wildlife-related violations through the BAH Wild Tip app.