The Bahamas
National Parks
Exuma Cays, located about 105 kilometres (65 miles) southeast of the capital Nassau, was the world's first marine and land park. Although the park´s territory is primarily water, the land is a vital refuge for a small mammal called hutia, several rare and endangered species of iguanas and seabirds such as seagulls, as well as the long-tailed tropical bird that nests on high cliffs.
Current threats include the constructions of holiday accommodations and booming tourism industry which, if not properly managed, can destroy native vegetation and lead to increased private and commercial boat traffic. Boats and divers can cause irreparable damage to threatened coral reefs. Other threats include canalization and offshore dredging, and overexploitation of fish and other marine species.
Other significant environmental aspects are the impact of tourism on the environment, waste disposal and water pollution. The main environmental agency is the Department of Environmental Health Services. Great Inagua protects around 30,000 flamingos, as well as the roseate spoonbill. Land clearing for agricultural purposes is a significant environmental problem because it endangers the wildlife habitats of the country.
Threatened species include Kirtland´s warbler, Bachamn´s warbler, green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, the Allen Cays rock iguana and the Acklins ground iguana. More information about responsible wildlife watching.
Iguana feeding
The iguanas which live in the North of the Bahamas are one of the most threatened lizard species in the world and nowadays only about 5000 individuals remain in the wild. Their natural habitat, a few small islands, is affected by a number of different threats such as urbanization, hunting, non-native species, exotic animal trafficking and tourism. Since about 2008, even on the most remoted beaches it is possible to see tourists feeding the iguanas and causing the animals to lose their fear if people and become easy victims of illegal wildlife trafficking or hunting.
In addition, local operators often invite their customers to feed the iguanas with bread and grapes, and recent studies show that these animals now suffer from a wide range of nutritional deviations, such as elevated glucose levels and insufficient potassium. Some examples even indicate high cholesterol levels, probably due to the fact that some tourists feed them meat. 100% of these artificially fed animals have internal parasites and the whole population is now more exposed to epidemics risks. For more information read here and here.
Dolphinaria
In this country you can also find centers that keep cetaceans (dolphins, orcas or beluga whales) in captivity. Research has shown that these intelligent animals suffer greatly in the limiting conditions of dolphinaria and their levels of stress and mortality are highly elevated.
The training of these animals for circus shows where they perform totally unnatural behaviors, which can physically harm them, is achieved by keeping the animals in a permanent state of hunger so that they act in exchange for a piece of dead fish.
Condemned by their facial structure, which resembles a human smile, these highly social animals, which would swim long distances and dive into great depths in the wild, are used to perform stunts in small concrete tanks. Many of these individuals are taken from the wild. More information at SOS Delfines.
"Pig Beach"
The Bahamas are also known for their famous “Pig Beach”. It is a beach on Big Major Cay Island where you can see wild pigs that have become one of the biggest local tourist attractions, something that has triggered a series of problems. The pigs are not native to the Caribbean and their delicate skin can easily burn under the scorching sun of the Bahamas.
Since there is very little vegetation on the island, pigs have to depend on the food that tourists offer them, which is often candy and even alcohol (a type of “nutrition” that has led to the death of several animals). These interactions also endanger people: there have been several cases of hungry pigs that have ended up biting visitors.
Travelers should also know that the population of these animals is controlled through the slaughter of adult pigs, as the offspring are more attractive to tourists. More information.
Other problems to have in mind:
Here is a list of local NGOs that can be contacted in case you want to make a donation, a complaint or find an animal that needs help in the Bahamas:
Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness (BAARK)
