CAYMAN NET NEWS (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) 07 May 08 Six Blue Iguanas brutally killed
Sometime between late Saturday evening (3 May) and the next morning someone broke into the iguana habitat at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, slaughtering six endangered blue iguanas and injuring two others.
Samantha Hicks, one of the distraught volunteers at the Blue Iguana Recovery Program (BIRP), spoke with Cayman Net News about the incident. “We’ve never seen anything like this before, it was a sustained and brutal attack,” she said, adding: “We are heartbroken and devastated; just absolutely furious.”
The six killed ranged from 18 to 23 years old and were among the friendliest iguanas at the facility, making them easy targets, Mrs Hicks said, but added that they would not have gone down without a fight.
“The big ones would have fought back with every ounce invested in them; the people who did this are more than likely covered with very deep scratches,” she said.
Mrs Hicks, who assists BIRP Director Fred Burton on a volunteer basis, said that police have launched a forensic investigation into the slaughter, recovering evidence that might lead them to the perpetrators.
“There was a cigarette butt on site and they have taken that away. There was also a dribble of blood on the wall of one of the pens that was more likely to be human than iguana.”
According to a BIRP press release, the iguana known as Sara, considered the “grand matriarch” of the facility, was one of the animals killed. “‘Jessica’ had been thrown out of the neighbouring pen and was in shock but still moving. Both females had been preparing to lay eggs,” the statement said. Jessica later died.
The release continued: “The iguanas appeared to have massive internal injuries, as if they had been stamped on violently and repeatedly. Some were also cut and partially dismembered.”
The hind leg of one of the iguanas had apparently been ripped or cut off and the body of the sixth iguana had not been found but entrails were discovered outside of his pen and it is assumed he has died as a result of his injuries.
Dr Colin Wakelin, Veterinary Officer at the Department of Agriculture, worked into the night to save Jessica by providing intravenous fluids and seeking advice from international specialists over the phone but those efforts failed and she died later that evening.
Dr Wakelin also closed a large gash in the shoulder of one of the iguanas that Mrs Hicks believes was caused by a knife.
Chief Inspector Richard Barrow, Officer in Charge of the Eastern Districts, said in a Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) press release:
“This is a despicable act that was carried out by cowardly and cruel individuals. The community, as are the RCIPS, is truly sickened by this incident and we will not stop until we find who is responsible for this senseless act.”
Inspector Barrow added: “We are encouraged by the response from the public and from those who care for these animals and encourage anyone who has any information, no matter how small, to please come forward, call Bodden Town Police Station on 947-2220 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).”
The Blue Iguana is the most critically endangered species of iguana in the world; the recovery programme has about 150 animals in the facility, of which about 30 are fully grown.
The Blue Iguana Recovery Program is urging people to visit www.blueiguana.ky and make a donation to help assist with the added costs of the tragedy.
http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-7167--1-1---.html

CAYMANIAN COMPASS (George Town, Cayman Islands) 06 May 08 Another iguana found injured (Carol Winker)
Another blue iguana has been found injured following the weekend attack that killed six of Cayman’s endangered animals at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.
Mr. Fred Burton, director of the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, said a male iguana named Matthias was sluggish and dragging his left front leg. Staff members are watching him and his condition will be discussed with Dr. Colin Wakelin to determine if Matthias should have X–rays.
Mr. Wakelin, who works with the Agricultural department, treated several of the iguanas found by volunteers at the fenced–in captive breeding facility on Sunday morning.
Senior Iguana Warden John Marotta provided an update on the conditions of three iguanas initially reported injured and reported on efforts to find the remains of Pedro, who is being counted as one of the six dead.
Billy, whose leg was stitched up by Mr. Wakelin, was more responsive by Tuesday morning. Archie, who was bruised, seemed to be coming along. Elwood, the female feared injured, seems fine as she apparently hid when intruders entered the area.
Mr. Marotta said he had walked the perimeter of the BIRP grounds looking for evidence of Pedro, but had found none. Iguana entrails were found outside Pedro’s pen on Sunday, but no body has been recovered. Mr. Marotta reported no scent and no visible sign of Pedro.
On Tuesday morning, Mr. Wakelin and Dr. Carolyn McKinnie of St. Matthew’s School of Veterinary Medicine began their examination of the dead iguanas.
The first iguana, Jessica, was found to be carrying seven eggs. Mr. Burton said she would have laid them in the next couple of weeks.
Results of the examination, referred to as a necropsy, were photographed and recorded. Police Constable Ronny Pollard, from the Scenes of Crime Unit, obtained a DNA sample and Ms McKinnie extracted blood samples.
PC Leonard Blake recorded observations and comments for the ongoing investigation.
Officer Carls Edwards, from the Department of Environment, assisted with measurements. Civilian scenes–of–crime investigator Zoë Marin also attended.
Meanwhile, individuals and companies were offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of whoever was responsible for the iguanas’ deaths and injuries.
Mainly for legal reasons, all rewards should be channelled through the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, the parent organisation for the iguana recovery programme.
“We really appreciate everyone’s support,” said Trust chairperson Carla Reid. Rewards will be coordinated in conjunction with Crime Stoppers, so that anyone with information can phone anonymously, she explained.
Mr. Burton received a pledge of $5,000 from dms Broadcasting when he took part in a programme aired by one of the company’s radio stations.
Mrs. Reid said callers to the Trust office had also offered reward money. By noon yesterday the total pledged, including from dms, was CI$10,800.
The money will be held for a specified length of time; if it is not paid out, the donor will have indicated what should be done with it.
The number for Crime Stoppers is 800–TIPS (800–8477).
http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1030484

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