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Development endangering unique Utila species

A two-meter male Utila iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri) basks in the sun during the mating season.  Mass tourism development on the small island of Utila is threatening this and many other native plant and animal species.

By ERICK FERRARI

Special to Honduras This Week 

Utila, one of the three Bay Islands (area some 40 km2), houses a considerable number of animal and plant species of which several exist only on this island, including the impressive Utila iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri) and two norops lizards (Norops bicaorum and N. utilensis).  These species are very much endangered.

The Zoological Society of Frankfurt, Germany and the Senckenberg Nature Research Society are working toward a sustained conservation of this lizard through the Utila Iguana Conservation Project.  As part of this project, since 1997 a research and breeding station for iguanas has been operating on Utila.

In the past, the existence of the Utila iguana has been threatened from overhunting, as opposed to from the destruction of its habitat.  However, this will change dramatically in the near future.  A gigantic international airport is currently under construction on the island, creating the necessary infrastructure for accommodating tourist jets coming directly from Houston and Miami.

In general, all signs on Utila are pointing toward fast and extensive development for mass tourism: several new resorts and hotels are being built and a four-lane highway from the airport to the town is under construction.

On the north side of the island where the most important egg-laying sites for the iguana are located, the beach areas have been cleared (burnt down) and divided into saleable lots.  Once the beach areas have been sold, the mangrove swamps lying behind it will be cleared as well, to accommodate by coral debris and garbage.Similar developmental activities are occurring on the south of the island (Blue Bayou and the former mangroves behind Cross Creek and RJ's).

MASS DEVELOPMENT

It can be clearly observed that all of Utila is being developed for mass tourism, obviously without taking into account ecological considerations.  In this scenario the future of Utila's wildlife and plants looks bleak unless conservation areas of considerable size are created.  Turtle Harbour Pond Refuge does exist, but only on maps, without having any significant protected status.

The solution for Utilian land conservation is to create a wildlife protected area, representing as many habitats and animal species on Utila as possible and giving them a long-term survival perspective.

With regards to the diversity of wildlife, the Iron Bound and eastern Rock Harbour region is known as the most important area of the island.  It is the only place of Utila where different habitats such as mangrove, rocky coast, beach habitat, Caribbean dry forest, wet savanna and seasonal rain forest are found so close together. Almost all known vertebrate species of Utila have been recorded there.

Because of its ecological importance, the Iron Bound and eastern Rock Harbour region should be the core zone of a planned national park.  The park should also include the area of the "Turtle Harbour Wildlife Refuge" and a biological corridor between the two areas.

The tourist attraction of Utila is an important economic contributor for the inhabitants of the island, as well as for Honduras.  The Bay Islands, together with the Mayan ruins of Copán, form the main attractions for travellers in the country.  And it is important that Utila be allowed to develop touristically in the long run, and that the expected additional income benefit the local people and Honduras.

It is imperative that developers get acquainted with the geographic, geologic and ecologic circumstances of Utila and direct the utilization of the island in such a direction that its unique natural character is done justice.

NATURE'S SECRET PARADISE

For many visitors, the very original Caribbean landscape is the main attraction on Utila.  Unfortunately, recent development activities are aiming toward a completely different goal: massive touristic exploitation.  The small island, a "secret nature's paradise" will hardly be able to cope with that situation. And in regards to the loss of plants and animals on land as well as those in the sea, these in reality are the principle attractions of Utila for the majority of visitors.

Utila's extremely limited resources do not allow for large-scale tourism.  Soon the people of Utila would be faced with the insoluble problems of garbage and pollution, as well as a scarcity of fresh water.  In addition, social problems will continue to grow on Utila due to the massive immigration of low-skilled poor people from the mainland -- attracted by the tourist projects -- and resulting high levels of unemployment, which would become even more severe should the flow of tourists decrease.

The creation of one or more protective areas, guaranteeing the survival of the endemic Utila black iguana, Ctenosaura bakeri, as well as numerous other animal and plant species, can give the island in the long run a unique attraction if tourism is properly managed.  Using educational tracks and guided tours in the protected area, as well as the already existing visitor's center at the Iguana station, visitors could be given the opportunity to discover and observe reptiles and other animals in their natural surroundings.

Such a protective area would give many tourists reasons to stay longer on the island in addition to diving.  The whole Utila community would profit (hotels, restaurants, etc.), and they would have a livelihood and resources reserved for them and coming generations.  In order to achieve this goal, people must unite forces and express their desire to establish a national park on Utila and develop Utila in the ecologically right way.