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The Cayman Islands are endowed with some rare species of flora
and fauna, either classified "endangered" by CITES (Convention
on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora) or protected under local laws.
Visitors are reminded that the animal and plant life pictured here are among these endangered or protected species and may not be removed from the Islands. Anyone violating these laws is subject to prosecution and confiscation of the endangered specimen. Cayman Islands Government Portfolio of Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources, Grand Cayman, BWI. |
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Cayman Parrot
(Amazona leucocephala caymanensis and hesterna)
These little parrots are mostly green with red throat, neck and cheeks. The front of their head is white and edges of their wings are blue. The Whistling (or Tree) Duck (Dendro cygna, arborea) also is endangered. |
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Iguana
(Cyclura nubila lewisi and caymanensis)
These large lizards live on the ground but can climb trees. They're found in remote areas on all three islands. |
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Orchids
(Orchidaceae)
All of the more than a dozen species of orchids found in the Cayman Islands are on the endangered list. There are both tree dwelling and ground varieties and some have distinctive and colourful blooms. |
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Sea Turtles
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) Three species of giant sea turtles are found in Cayman waters. During non-breeding seasons local laws allow controlled taking of wild turtles for use within the Islands, but not for export. The only turtles and turtle products allowed for export are those grown at the Cayman Turtle Farm. However, visitors should be familiar with the laws of their own countries regarding the importing of turtles and turtle products. |
| The Cayman Island's Marine Conservation Law protects our marine life. It is against the law to take any coral, algae, sponge, turtle egg or hermit crab from the sea, as well as to export any fish or other free moving marine creature. (All species of black coral, Antipatharia, in an unworked state also are protected by CITES.) Specific sections of the local law pertain to taking lobsters and conch. If in doubt, get a copy of the law at the Legislative Assembly Building or call the Government Portfolio of Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources. |
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Full size image of original arrangement of these images and text.
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| Last updated by Ken Caldwell on March 4, 2003. |
| Back to Dick and Dot's Cayman Island Retreat. |