Our beautiful Cayman Islands have some of the most fascinating and unique native species and habitats in the world. One reason for this is because of how remote we are, hundreds of miles away from continental mainlands, plants and animals developed for thousands of years in isolation before human settlement. Another reason, is because as the tops of an underwater mountain range, our marine environment goes from shallow reef to deep-sea just a few hundred feet from shore, offering a vast array of habitats and ocean currents for marine species (and the land species which rely on them) to thrive.
As special as we are, many of our most iconic plants and animals struggle to thrive in our rapidly growing society and climate changing world. But intentional human activities such as sustainable land development, active pet management and traffic calming are just a few opportunities for people to make conscious decisions to be good neighbours to nature.
Most people know about our blue iguana and probably even know that it was brought back from the brink of extinction through an extensive (and expensive) breeding program managed by the National Trust, at the QEII Botanic Park.
But did you know the blue iguana was the largest land animal in Grand Cayman for thousands of years and used to range the entire island?
Before people arrived, blue iguanas would traverse all of Grand Cayman and nest in sandy beaches, just like their cousin the Sister Islands Rock Iguana still does today in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman where population density is still relatively low.
As more and more humans settled in Grand Cayman, the blues retreated away from the west and coastal areas, moving deeper into the remote dry forests and shrublands of the eastern interior. Yet, despite best efforts over the past 35 years to release captive bred young iguanas into remote sections of the Salina and Colliers Wilderness Reserves, they (along with many of our native species) still struggle to survive amidst expanding development, roaming cats and dogs, and increasing road traffic. It’s shocking to learn that after thousands of years of living in isolation, native blue and rock iguana hatchlings developed instincts to sense a snake a few yards away, but do not recognize a dog, cat or a car are a threat until it’s too late.
Other native animals like our wild nesting sea turtles, Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac parrots, Nassau grouper, Little Cayman green anole, Old George, ghost orchid, brown and red-footed booby and red-legged thrush are all iconic species to our three islands (many found nowhere else in the world) yet they struggle to survive in their native habitats. Without coordinated and intentional choices in how we conduct our activities, it’s quite possible we may lose many of them in the next generation or two.
Let’s keep native trees, shrubs and hollowed palms when we are developing our land. Not only does this maintain food and nesting sites for native birds and parrots, but most native plants need much less water and the shade they offer to our homes and yards is priceless.
Let’s keep our pets confined to our property. Roaming cats and dogs especially are a major threat to native birds, reptiles and insects and can also contract diseases or get hurt when they come in contact with feral animals in the wild. Our pets are always safer at home.
Let’s slow down; literally and figuratively. Rapidly increasing development and road traffic are having severe impacts to the survival of our native species. Sustainable development, only clearing the building footprints, wide setbacks, and traffic calming measures, ensure both people and nature are able to thrive – together. Protected natural areas let people spend time walking in nature, one of the healthiest things we can do to reduce stress and improve our mental and physical health.
As a community we take pride in treating others how we would like to be treated. This includes having a certain degree of tolerance and even interest in those who we are sharing the Cayman Islands with. Nature is our neighbour too. Our native species were here long before we were and with a little neighbourly love, will be here long after as well.