Turks and Caicos Islands: The Rock Iguana
In the second programme from the Turks and Caicos islands, Tom Heap meets up with marine biologist Mark Parrish to look at the problems facing the critically endangered rock iguana.
The Living World is a natural history strand that revels in rich encounter, immersion in the natural world and warm, enthusiastic story telling.
Some of the Caribbean's most spectacular wildlife can be surprisingly easy to find. A short boat ride from the main island of Turks and Caicos brings you to the flat, limestone island of Little Water Cay. Within moments of stepping onshore you can be pretty sure of finding something large, shimmering and spectacular at your feet. These dinosaur-like creatures are the Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana, endemic to these islands and to one location in the nearby Bahamas.
Mark Parrish is a marine biologist who runs a local eco-tourism business. He tells Tom Heap about the problems facing this critically endangered species, particularly the tendency of feral cats to predate on the young lizards. Cats have been spotted crossing onto the island but the warden Alex Williams is determined to keep the local population safe. He takes Tom to see Rocky, the dominant male, his harem of mates and the young challenger to his crown.
Presented by Tom Heap
Produced by Alasdair Cross.
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Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana (cyclura carinata)
Mark Parrish
Mark Parrish, a managing partner of Big Blue, first moved to the Turks and Caicos from the UK in 1997 to work at the Caicos Conch Farm.Ìý With a background in ocean sciences and a love of the ocean Mark felt instantly at home and has been living on Provo ever since.
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Mark’s curious mind and adventurous spirit have found him exploring across all of the islands and cays in the Turks and Caicos and he is a founding member of the Caicos Caves Project. Along the way Mark has developed many of the exciting eco-adventures that Big Blue offers and he continues to forge new partnerships with residents across the archipelago.
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Mark loves nothing better than to be out in the field exploring new territory and sharing his interests in the flora, fauna and geography of the Turks and Caicos. Mark involves himself heavily in conservation and environmental education. He is a council member of the TC National Trust and a director for the non-profit TC Reef Fund, the Middle Caicos Handcraft Sailing Boat Association and The Turks and Caicos Marine Rescue Association.
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Mark is also a bit of a history buff and works closely with the National Museum on Grand Turk. He has written articles for their newsletter ‘The Astrolabe’ and writes a regular historical column in another local publication. Mark is also a scuba instructor, trimix & rebreather diver, and works as a technician at the hyperbaric recompression chamber. His other passions include sailing, trekking and camping.
Iguana Sanctuary on Little Water Cay
Alex Williams is the warden for the iguana santuary, which is run by the Turks and Caicos National Trust (TCNT).Ìý
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Little Water Cay is around 117 acres in size and is home to approximately 3000 rock iguanas.
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The Turks and Caicos rock iguana (cyclura carinata) is listed as critically endangered (#) and is the largest native land animal of the Turks and Caicos Islands.Ìý It is the smallest of the thirteen iguana species found in the West Indies, measuring two feet from tip to tip.The iguanas are only found on uninhabited islands were believed to have travelled via ocean currents from Hispaniola.Ìý Little Water Cay is the closest of these to the tourist mecca of Providenciales.
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Broadcast
- Sun 3 Aug 2014 06:35Â鶹Éç Radio 4
Natural Histories
Nature that has had a profound impact on human culture and society across history.
