Dr. Doug Mader's - "To Your Pet's Health"
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Iguanas in the Keys -- A View From the Outside

Dr. Mader,

I understand that you are the "protector of iguanas," so to speak. I wrote the following letter to the editor about a month ago. My friend who lives in Islamorada told me that it was never printed, and she suggested that I send it to you. The letter speaks for itself. Thank you,

-- Carol Walton, Carol Walton Expeditions

Dear Editor,

I am the owner of a wildlife tour company and I take groups all over the world from Africa, the arctic, Antarctica and all over South America to show and teach them about wildlife and nature. Last year I visited the Keys and had such a wonderful time at the various local attractions feeding pelicans, swimming with dolphins, seeing sea turtles being rehabilitated, seeing the Key deer, that I decided to start organizing group tours to the Keys for my clients. With the current recession, it seemed like the perfect place to take people "close to home" where they could still have a wonderful wildlife experience!

A couple of days ago my friend who lives in the Keys sent me a photo from Solares Hill (Aug. 16, 2009) showing a line of iguanas that had been killed. Needless to say, I was absolutely horrified. When I was visiting the Keys, the iguanas were one of the things I loved the most! I spent hours photographing them and told many of my clients about them.

After seeing that unbelievable photo, I am having serious second thoughts about taking a group of nature/wildlife lovers to a place that not only kills the wildlife, but brags about it with a photo in the newspaper! I would think that the person, Chris Guinto, who killed all those iguanas would be arrested, not lauded for doing so by publishing his photo of death. Perhaps he sees the iguanas as being a "pest," but I assure you that the many thousands of visitors to the Keys do not agree with that assessment. Most, if not all visitors, will not only be extremely offended, but outraged as I am. I suggest that instead of killing the iguanas, you embrace them as the unique ambassador they are to the Keys.

Sincerely,

-- Carol Walton

Carol Walton Expeditions

Austin, Texas

Dear Carol,

I would prefer to consider myself a "wildlife advocate." We do have a problem with iguanas here in the Keys. My stance is that they should be dealt with humanely. Your letter is well stated and from the heart. I can see why it was passed over, it is kind of like telling the high school beauty queen that she has a zit on her forehead, everybody can see it. Nobody wants to hear it.

Please continue bringing your groups here to the Keys. I apologize for the vocal few that are the zits of the Keys. You'll find blemishes wherever you travel. The Keys are a wonderful place. The people are the best around. The environment is magical and the wildlife is better than any zoo.

I hope to see you and your eco-groups here again in the near future.

Dr. Mader is an ABVP board certified veterinary specialist practicing in the Keys. Send your questions to Mvh525@aol.com.