Article written by Diane Slawych.
Spotting local wildlife is always a treat on vacation – something that puts a smile on the face of kids and adults alike. Anyone who’s been snorkelling can attest to the wonders underwater of course.
But on land there’s plenty to keep you amused as well.
Iguanas
The Lesser Antillean iguana finds refuge in mangroves; photo courtesy of the Tourism Committee of the Guadeloupe Islands
If there’s one critter you’re more likely to encounter in the Caribbean than any other it’s the iguana. You can see them in the wild on at least a dozen islands, including The Islands of The Bahamas (especially Exuma islands and islets such as Allen Cay and parts of Andros Island), Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (known as the ABC islands).
It’s always a pleasant surprise when you stumble on one, and because they often move slowly or tend to remain in place for a while, they’re easy to photograph. (Tip: if you want to get in close, avoid any quick or jerky movements).
The reptiles can be as much as two-metres long or longer, and weigh around 17 pounds with colours that vary from black and gray striped to florescent green! They’re a sight to behold with their scales of varying patterns, and the spiky ridge on the centre of their back (think punk rocker equivalent of the reptile world).
The Caribbean is home to several types of iguanas including the endemic Rock Iguanas, native species like the Lesser Antillean Iguana, and the invasive Green Iguana. You may find them in trees, on rock ledges or wandering around on sandy ground.
One place where you’re guaranteed to see them is on Little Water Cay in Turks and Caicos.
The small, uninhabited cay is a protected sanctuary where about 2,000 of the rare and endangered Rock Iguanas roam freely amid the red mangrove trees. Visitors can see the iguanas up close by walking along two meandering boardwalk trails, dotted with interpretive plaques.
You can get to the cay by boat in five minutes from Providenciales’ Walkin or Leeward marinas, or from Grace Bay in under 15 minutes.
Flamingos
Beautiful flamingos found on Mayaguana as well as other islands in The Bahamas; photo courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.
On the Caribbean islands where they can be found, flamingos are often venerated and even protected.
They love flamingos in Bonaire. Even before you see the real thing, you’ll find an image of the long-legged crimson-coloured bird emblazoned on almost everything from public buildings to local art, tourist brochures and souvenirs. That’s due largely to the fact that Bonaire is home to one of only four areas in the world where flamingos breed. To ensure their survival, the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is a protected area, but you can glimpse the birds with binoculars from the road or nearby Pink Beach.
In The Islands of The Bahamas, where the West Indian flamingo is the national bird, you can find the largest population on the island of Great Inagua.
The mostly uninhabited island is home to between 50,000 and 80,000 flamingos – one of the world’s largest flamingo colonies. They breed here too, mostly within the 743-square-kilometre Inagua National Park. An added bonus is the presence of 140 species of migrating, resident and endemic birds. Among them, the Bahama Parrot, Kirtland’s Warbler and West Indian Whistling Duck.
In Nassau and Paradise Island, meanwhile, check out the Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre to see the famous “marching flamingos” show. With the help of a guide, the birds do their best to parade around a grassy fenced-in area to the delight of onlookers.
Located just 64 km south of the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos also has an abundance of flamingos, with a population of about 5,300. They can be found throughout the country, thanks in part to the many marine ponds, estuaries, and channels found on nearly all of its islands.
The best chance to see them up close is on the lesser visited islands of Grand Turk and South Caicos. Another spot is Flamingo Pond in North Caicos (bring binoculars).
You can also see them on Providenciales, the main tourism island. Check the ponds at the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, or Flamingo Lake (one of their feeding grounds) behind the IGA store on Leeward Highway.
Vervet Monkeys
Young vervet monkeys are plentiful in Barbados and can be seen at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve; photo courtesy of Royal Westmoreland Barbados.
If you’re visiting St. Kitts & Nevis or Barbados, chances are you may see a vervet monkey. It’s believed the playful primates were brought to the Caribbean as pets from West Africa centuries ago.
In Nevis, smaller sister island to St. Kitts, some claim the monkeys outnumber the people! Quite a few can be seen roaming around the Four Seasons Resort on the golf course, in the trees, or around the villas. The resort even offers a free monkey spotting tour.
On a few Caribbean islands, locals keep monkeys as pets and charge visitors for a photo. Others keep them in cages near their craft stall to attract tourists.
If you prefer to see them in their natural habitat, another option is Welchman Hall Gully, in the heart of the Barbados, where the monkeys swing from trees or feed on bananas on specially built platforms. It’s also a great place to take respite from the heat. The exotic ravine has shaded paths amidst a tangle of tropical trees and flowering plants.
While the monkey antics on the various islands may be amusing to visitors, local farmers are not big fans, and officials are continually exploring ways to reduce the damage the animals do to local food crops.
Wherever you encounter the monkeys, maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding them, as they are wild animals. The best viewing times are generally early morning or late afternoon, when it’s cooler.
Donkeys
Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire is dedicated to shelter and care for sick, injured, and orphaned donkeys; photo courtesy of Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire.
One of the most unique animal attractions in the Caribbean is the donkey sanctuary in Bonaire. Drive your own car or scooter on the path through this quiet, rural setting where you’ll encounter some of the 800 curious donkeys who live here. The shelter was founded in 1993 by Marina Melis and her husband Ed Koopman to care for sick, injured, and orphaned donkeys on the island.
In the care meadow, you can meet the animals up close, and have your picture taken with them. Money raised from admission and souvenirs in the gift shop (many of them donkey-themed) goes towards their care. The park is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
Article by Diane Slawych.
Diane Slawych is a radio and print journalist published in 60+ magazines and newspapers, who enjoys festivals, music and uncovering unique stories. She has travelled widely in 100 countries including most islands in the Caribbean, where you can often find her on a beach with a bottle of Tiger Malt!
