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Post by Dominick on Sept 13, 2004 21:47:39 GMT -5
Hi Folks- While I recommend everyone visit and join the International Iguana Society for all the good works they do in iguana conservation, this plea is FAR more serious! The MOST endangered iguana in the world today is the Grand Caymen Blue Iguana ( Cyclura lewisi). This is a magnificent iguana but there are less than 30 surviving in the wild. The IIS in conjunction with the other iguana organizations has worked very hard to "head-start" the Lewisi population. They have hatched upwards of 70 eggs and just last month assembled a team of volunteers (Team Blue) to repair and build new cages for the hatchlings. Everything was looking up.....until IVAN came to the island. I am receiving almost hourly e-mail updates and the outlook is just heart-breaking.  Here is an excerpt from the latest e-mail: So far, we have not been able to contact Fred Burton or gather any specific information regarding the state of the Botanic Park and the captive Blue Iguana population. What little information we do have is grim and comes from the Cayman NetNews and various wire service reports: the eye of the category 5 hurricane passed just south of Grand Cayman as all three islands (including Little Cayman and Cayman Brac) were lashed by 150 mph winds and heavy rains through Sunday, with the downpour continuing through Monday night. Parts of low-lying Grand Cayman were swamped under up to 8 feet of water. The island’s National Hurricane Committee is reporting that an estimated one-quarter to one half of the 15,000 homes on the island have suffered some damage. Trees up to three stories tall were uprooted by the wind, the airport runway was flooded and windows shattered in the control tower. Communications and electricity have yet to be restored, however, cell phone service is now functioning sporadically.
Delta Airlines canceled its flight last night and John and Sandy have rebooked for this evening, although it is possible that nothing but emergency relief flights will be allowed to land on Grand Cayman for the moment. John is already considering alternatives to commercial flights.
At one point yesterday, Grand Cayman was submerged in a 15- to 20-foot tidal surge. Damage to the Blue iguana facility is a given; the elevation of the cement pens is a few feet at the highest point. The new cages built at the beginning of August are unlikely to have fared well.
News bulletins will continue to be posted on the Blue Iguana website as they arrive.
We are grateful for the donation for relief support beginning to come in. We urge each of you to share information with your friends and colleagues on how to provide assistance to the Blue Iguanas in this time of desperate need.
The easiest way to make donations, which will be immediately available to help with the relief effort on Cayman, is to direct people to the new Blue iguana website (www.BlueIguana.ky), to the section marked “You Can Help”. The “Donations In Kind” option allows individuals to donate any amount. Donors may also send checks made out to the International Reptile Conservation Foundation (IRCF), with a notation designating funds for Blue Iguana relief, and send these to 3010 Magnum Drive, San Jose CA, 95135.
For those interested in volunteering to assist in cleanup and repair efforts at the Blue Iguana facility, please contact AJ Gutman via email: ctenosaura@Cyclura.com and ‘cc’ John Binns at: jfb@IRCF.org. Please identify telephone contact information, number of people available and dates of availability. Be advised conditions there will be difficult.
I would ask any of you who are able to make a donation or volunteer to help to do so at this very critical time. It's possible we may lose the entire species from this natural diaster! For those unfamiliar with the Grand Caymen Blue Iguana, here's a picture of one I had the privilege to handle while visiting with John Binns (pictured with me)earlier this year. They are truly a magnificent species of iguana and need our help and support right now. Please, do whatever you can to help us save this iguana species. Visit the site and read the latest news at: www.blueiguana.ky/news.htm |
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Post by Patrick Kubeja on Sept 14, 2004 6:15:43 GMT -5
Hello Dominick
I have been reading about Ivan and the Cayman Islands and my heart pours out to the people Down there! and the people that are helping trying to do good for the Blue Cayman Iguana!!! I want to ask my members to check out the website and make a donation this is very IMPORTANT! So we do not have another Iguana go extinct in this world… They are doing a lot of good in the conservation and biology of these guys. Even if it is 10 dollars it is a donation to help save the Blue Cayman! My prayers are for John and Sandy and his colleges that go down to the Cayman Islands and I pray very thing goes well they have done so much for the survival of these guys and they are beautiful lizards. So I urge people here at this site to Donate what you can. We do not need another Iguana to be extinct in the world !!!!!
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Post by Dominick on Sept 14, 2004 18:12:33 GMT -5
This just in.....some good news!
___________________________________________
We have heard from Fred and he and the hatchlings are fine! Apparently Fred was able to get through to Doug Bell in the UK at 5 AM this morning and report that there has been little damage to his house other than that caused by the flooding. The power and phone lines are still out and, as of yet; the Botanic Park is not accessible due to blocked and flooded roadways. Fred, Matt and Nick (the latter two were on Cayman to assist with the September releases), are considering alternate methods of reaching the Park.
Reports in the Times (London) provide conflicting information on the number of casualties and the amount of damage, ranging form 48 dead and 4,000 homeless to no confirmed reports of casualties. What can be said definitively is that the airport remains closed, harbors remain inaccessible, electricity and water are down, and phone service is still sporadic.
Our job continues to be to hope and pray for the best and spread word of the disaster so that we can track down as much support for the relief effort as possible.
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Regards,
Dominick
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Post by geekcoboy103 on Sept 14, 2004 18:31:34 GMT -5
Yay!
Things are getting better!
For the iguanas that is...
Those poor Floridinians(inians?)
-collin
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Post by matt on Sept 14, 2004 19:13:37 GMT -5
Yes everybody, this is very important to help save the Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas, so please visit the web site and make a donation and please pass the word!!!!!
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Post by Patrick Kubeja on Sept 14, 2004 19:23:31 GMT -5
Thanks Matt
For joining this Great effort in saving these Guys They Are Great!!! Me and Denise Next Year are going to Try to save up the Money to go there to volunteer If they will have us I think it would be a great learning experience.....
That Is Great News on Fred Burton and the Hatchlings Dominick I hope the can get to the Botanic Park Soon!!!!
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Post by matt on Sept 14, 2004 20:04:50 GMT -5
I do hope you get to go and volunteer, I just was able to see the pic with Dominick and the Grand Cayman Blue, and man is it a very beautiful Iguana and it is great news to hear that fred burton and the hatchlings are doing fine.
Keeping my fingers crossed
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Post by Dominick on Sept 15, 2004 8:09:11 GMT -5
Another update: Fred confirmed he, Matt Goetz from Durrell Wildlife and Nick Lewis are all OK. Fred’s house as reported earlier, sustained some damage and had water throughout. Fred’s small rental house closer to George Town sustained roof damage and other water damage. Fred said wind speed was recorded at over 200mph during the storm. Fred did not have any news about Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, though the news agencies are reporting those islands faired well. Early today, Fred, Matt and Nick made their way toward the Botanic Park along the southern coast highway to assess the facility damage and status of the iguanas. This was their first opportunity to venture into the area. Given the destruction around them, they feared the worst for the iguanas. Travel was hampered as much of the road is underwater, littered with fallen trees, debris from destroyed homes, many of which are either gone or buried in sand. Low lying areas along the coast were particularly difficult to navigate but improved after the turnoff onto the road that passes by the park. Turning down the road leading into the park, the road from there was littered with debris and just passable, however, as the road turns into the parks final entryway, they were forced to stop due to fallen trees that completely covered any sign of the road. Leaving the truck, they began to hike in, climbing over fallen trees making the normal 15 minute walk from the parks gate, a hurried 45 minute struggle to reach the facility. As they made their way, the first good sign was the parks ranger shack was still erect as well as the free standing restrooms. Finally, inching their way ahead they reached the iguana facility. As they entered the open area, a true miracle lay before them. The old cages to the right were still standing and in front of them, the new cages were still tightly packed together in the same location they were moved into prior to the hurricane. They split up to check the status of the iguanas in each area. Quickly moving around the bundled new cages, the 2 year olds all appeared to be fine but hungry. Approaching the large cement pens, Fred saw that the water level in the pens was still high and first fear the animals had drowned but the sinking feeling was quickly relieved with the sight of “Billy’ clinging to the main trunk of a palm with his tail in the water. Looking around the other pens, some of the other adult iguanas could be seen high in the tall shrubs and old “Hal” atop a large rock. As Fred approached “Carley’s” pen, she sighted Fred and immediately dove underwater and made her way to her completely submerged retreat. Status of the animals and hatchlings in the older cages was also good news, all were OK. To the best of Fred’s knowledge, all the iguanas survived. The status of the free-ranging iguanas near the facility: “Biter”, “Slugger”, “Red-White”, “Yellow”, “Forest” and others is not known at this time. Their next task was to detach the support braces from the new cages and move them back into somewhat even rows so the animals in the inner circle could be checked and all could be fed. The individual hatchling cages in the fenced area were also unbundled and placed back on their stands. Once cages were somewhat back in order, food was collected and though the quantity or selection was not up to par, he said none of the iguanas seemed to picky today. Considering the facility is an open patch of space, the Gods protected the iguanas during this hurricane, not one fallen tree or flying object impacted any of the cages, where the rest of the island suffered severe devastation, not a 100 yards away. Feeling much relieved, as I’m sure others do who feared the worst, Fred now faces the next challenge of caring and keeping these animals healthy. The entire island is devastated, there are many homeless, without power, no water, food is being rationed, gas stations are closed or destroyed, and the economic infrastructure is at a standstill. In essence there is only humanitarian focus and from all accounts, it’s going to be months before there is any real sign of recovery. To put this in perspective, Fred’s neighbor ventured into George Town today and returned ill from the sight of destruction and the destroyed homes of their friends along the way. As Fred chopped up available firewood to cook tonight's meal, he said though his house sustained damage, he was counting his blessings for his good fortune. With the island focusing on life support, the are no plans to clear the road into the Botanic Park and there is no warden to manage the animals. In discussing the issue with Fred, it was clear now is not the time to consider bringing a team to restore access into the facility, since life support and accommodations on the island are already insufficient and probably will be for some time. What we eventually settled on was I would continue to attempt to reach Grand Cayman as soon as possible with the food supplies the IRCF has purchased. Once there, I would either camp at the facility for 3 or 4 days maintaining the animals, then making my way back out to replenish supplies at Fred’s or if transportation allowed stay at Fred’s, which at this time is rather doubtful. This would allow Fred to make minimal repairs to his home and conduct community service that is desperately needed. I asked if there was anything he needed, his reply was: garbage bags and water buckets. I relayed the many well wishes from everyone to Fred and brought him up-to-date of our relief efforts and those of others to support the Blue iguana program in it’s time of critical need. Needless to say, his spirits were lifted upon hearing the number of people concerned for his safety and the efforts of those who were promoting relief efforts, and his gratitude for those who have donated. He wanted me to relay a very sincere thank you to all. In a somber conclusion to our conversation, he said: “John it’s going to take considerable resources to get this program’s infrastructure on it’s feet. We can be grateful the iguanas are OK but the task of recovery is now much more of a challenge than we faced before”. Other. The Blue Iguana website ( www.BlueIguana.ky ) has modified the “You Can Help” --> “Donation Options” to now include a “Relief Donation” button. This supports any amount of donation. A list other websites supporting the Blue Iguana relief effort is being drafted for distribution. If anyone receiving this bulletin is interested in supporting this effort on their website, please contact Sandy at: sb@IRCF.org for an information package. Thank you all for your continued support! John |
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Post by Patrick Kubeja on Sept 15, 2004 16:52:54 GMT -5
That Is Great News Dominick!!
But it is going to take a lot of effort to get the place back on its feet again and the Donations from around the boards will help greatly I believe! I wish I could go down there and help out to get the place back in order!! I am So Glad the Iguanas made it though this in the wild these guys do know how to survive!! And the hatchlings made it though it to that makes it all more enjoyable to read. Sorry about the houses and the people there it will be sometime before its all back in shape, but I know it will get there in it own do time! We do not want to see another iguana go extinct in this world and all efforts should go to not having that happen!!!!!!!
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Post by Patrick Kubeja on Sept 15, 2004 17:13:02 GMT -5
Hey Matt
I am Hoping Maybe me and Denise if we save and save we will be able to go down there next year and help out with this, if they well have us that is. Only times well tell, but we have talk about it and we both think it would be an experience not to pass up. The Blue Cayman Iguana is the most beautiful Iguana that I have ever seen and that’s why I think it worth saving from Extinction. Plus others as well! There is no reason that a animal that been living on the world so many year should be extinct!!
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Post by Marie on Jun 2, 2005 1:08:37 GMT -5
 Hey Everyone Found this post at GIS: members2.boardhost.com/greenigsociety/msg/74696.htmlGreetings from Grand Cayman Posted by desiree on 6/1/2005, 11:53 pm 63.130.193.183 Hi all from Grand Cayman! As part of IRCF, I'm loving my return to Cayman and have been assisting with the tracking and observations of the wild blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) in the east end interior. I spotted my first wild blue on my first day of tracking! My team mates are terrific folks and we're having a great time working together; I have finally met Janie (aka AJ) after all these years and am saddened that she's leaving tomorrow. IRCF (John/Sandy Binns) did a fantastic job of communicating this project out and coordinating the volunteers. I'm twice-baked; the summer's heat is more intense than when I was there in the winter. I've been drinking water like a camel. I have updates that I need to write for BIRP (www.blueiguana.ky) posting so look for news there! Guess what my bed is next to!? A couple batches of C. lewisi eggs! Yup, that's right! Little bouncing baby blue iguanas will be hatching around August! BIRP is facing the challenge of readying housing for all these lil guys before hatching time, without impacting the current housing situation at the facility. The cost is $7K to have cages available for the hatchlings and a gentleman by the name of Rob Ferber has generously donated $3500. That leaves $3500 remaining -- there be the challenge. Please consider lending your support. $70 will cover the cost of a cage and shipping. Please visit www.blueiguana.kydes I know $70 may be a lot but I'm sure they would appreciate any amount. |
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Post by ChamZilla on Jun 2, 2005 23:40:21 GMT -5
Wow Marie that was a great catch to see that. I'm glad things are going better over there this late Spring than Fall last year.
It is great how people come together and try and help animals now a days before they become extinct. It is very important.
I have a question. Why can't or don't they export some of the eggs or iguana's just incase something happens to the adults or anything like that. I mean how did we get the green iguana everywhere but we can't the blue?
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Post by vera316 on Jun 10, 2005 12:27:55 GMT -5
Hi, I am the watercolor artist who is begging for your help. IIF, the International Iguana Foundation is associated with Fred Burton and the Blue Team of the Cayman Islands. I would just like to encourage any of you thinking of going to the Caymans and saving money for such a trip to consider sending some of these funds to help the IIF and Blue Team now when the threat of another long Hurricane season is upon them. Being on an Island makes all forms of survival more difficult, getting items such as electric generators, fresh food for the Iguana after native food is destroyed by the Hurricane, etc, complicated by the need to flown or shipped in.
If you do not feel able to donate outright, perhaps a purchase of Iguana Note Cards, Prints, or Posters would be something you might like to have anyway which would directly help them as well. Feel free to email me with questions about by work or any requests. Anything going out to you from my studio I will be sure to date and hand sign.
Thank you all so much for making me welcome, Vera
Thank you for
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Post by Marie on Jun 14, 2005 17:25:36 GMT -5
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Post by really on Jan 19, 2006 11:25:34 GMT -5
One of the things we used to do when we lived in New Orleans was to take our Lewisi hybrid to groups and schools to teach kids and adults about the Blue Iguana Recovery program. It was very unofficial and I'd like to be able to do it again when we get settled. Kismet actually looks more Cuban than Cayman but she is a sweet iggy who quickly endears everyone to her. I think that in this way we get to help a little. I posted pics of Kismet, my green and my other animals at share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8IbNWLFyxcvFAWhen you get to the link, click on "view pictures" ReallySusan |
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Hey Everyone 
