AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
The endangered Sister Islands Rock Iguana faces a severe threat from road mortality. Since 2020, at least 286 iguanas have been killed by vehicles, a number believed to be much higher due to undetected deaths of hatchlings. The Department of Environment (DoE) urges drivers to slow down and yield to the iguanas. Once abundant on both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, the population has dwindled, with near extinction on Cayman Brac. Little Cayman has less than 2,000 remaining, congregating around Blossom Village. The DoE requests reports of injured or dead iguanas to aid conservation efforts.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
In a social media post, the DoE said that since 2020, at least 286 rock iguanas, a unique breed endemic to the Sister Islands, have been killed on the roads, but noted that the number is likely much higher since many hatchlings die on the road and go undetected due to scavengers. So many are killed by cars each year that it poses a significant threat their vulnerable populations.
“Please slow down and give way to our endemic rock iguanas on the roads!” the department begged drivers.
According to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, rock iguanas were once abundant on both islands, but have almost disappeared from Cayman Brac, with just a small population breeding at one location on Cayman Brac’s southern coast. The Trust notes that adults seen near the West End Public Park were translocated from Little Cayman, a practice which is now illegal.
On Little Cayman, less than 2,000 rock iguanas remain, which generally congregate around the built-up areas in and around Blossom Village.
The DoE is asking people who find injured or dead iguanas to email doe@gov.ky or call 916-5849.
