Bonaire Iguanas
Unless you are extremely non-observant, blind as a bat, or live in a cave, you will see iguanas during your visit to Bonaire. Iguanas are everywhere. They hang out in the kunukus, they scurry (at high speeds) to safety when cars approach, and they hang out at the best picnic areas waiting for you to abandon your yummy snacks. Everywhere you visit on Bonaire these punked out, mohawked lizards will be there. Just not in the large numbers they used to be.
The Bonaire iguanas aren't quite the snuggly types but they do have the characteristics of an ugly pet loved for its endearing qualities. Many of these six-foot long fine fur-less friends have become comfortable around people, especially at or around resorts. They are a lot like untrained, misbehaving puppies begging for or stealing your food. To some they’re a nuisance, but it’s mostly a cheeky good time when these lizards are around.
Unfortunately they also find their way to the dinner tables of Bonaire as well. At one time iguanas were a food staple when the locals were so poor and starving and had little else to eat. While this is no longer the case, some restaurants cater to the tourists’ desire to sample the “local delicacy”. It's just wrong. These tourists should learn a few phrases of Papiamentu to find the real cultural experience they are looking for.
The Iguana Preservation Society (IPS) is a non-government organization (NGO). This is a group of concerned citizens who are dedicated to bringing awareness to the fate of the iguana and preventing iguana harassment. The IPS have put iguana crossing signs up for the motorists. They have also had to deal with such problems as iguana tossing, iguanas getting used in soups and stews and iguana drempels. Iguana drempels is a term used only in Bonaire meaning Iguana speed bumps:(
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