BELVEDERE--Concerned residents and organizations tasked with caring for the welfare of animals and of conservation management have asked for clarity regarding permits and Government’s position on the situation at the so-called “Iguana Park.” Organizations are concerned about cases of animal abuse and neglect at the park.
The organizations said in a press statement that they have noticed several violations of animal husbandry components and of poor quality animal care at Iguana Park. The animals are “showing stress in dirty, confined steel cages, lacking any kind of healthy stimulation, proper nutrition, or access to veterinary care,” read a press statement regarding the situation.
Organizations tasked with animal welfare and environmental protection urge Government to provide information and clarity on the subject.
The groups want to know from Government if there was a notice in the media allowing the public to file a protest against the park permit request, if there is a certificate of good health available from a registered veterinarian about the monkey, raccoons, boa constrictor and various tropical birds anywhere reported, the hurricane contingency plan for the park, the transportation regulations followed for import of animals and birds and whether the import of specimens occur in adherence to the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species.
Also, the groups want to know if due diligence took place as it relates to the Nature Conservation Ordinance AB 2013, and if the Ministry of Environment VROMI recorded species according to their potential for invasiveness and have the enclosures been sufficiently scrutinized for their security. “In short: has anyone with professional competence evaluated the general suitability of the Iguana Park as an attraction,” the groups asked.
In view of their concerns, organizations have asked Government for assistance and have delivered an official letter requesting clarity, but have not yet received any response. Since June of last year, requests for governmental assistance and cooperation regarding Iguana Park's negligence toward its humane responsibilities have gone without response, they said.
“In today’s hostile global environment with climate changes and threats of global terrorism, our borders need good governance and respect for the rule of law, pillars of democracy that keep a community and land safe,” they said.
The organizations have also started an online petition urging government to respond to their request, which can be found at https://www.change.org/p/government-of-st-maarten-vromi-ministry-urge-government-to-review-and-make-public-issues-regarding-iguana-park-st-maarten.
An online fundraiser was also started in order to raise monies for possible legal proceedings which may be needed in this case. The public is urged by the groups to make a donation at https://www.generosity.com/animal-pet-fundraising/raise-legal-fees-to-halt-abuse-at-iguana-park/x/13332610.
