Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Sustainable Travel
Perched Dragon

These dinosaur-like green iguanas are perhaps the world's most aggressive-looking vegetarians. Brought to Cayman Islands in the 1980s, these lizards’ half-million population is now considered to be invasive and is estimated to double every 1.5 years. The real threat is to the indigenous blue iguana. Found no where else in the world, only a couple hundred blue iguanas remain in the wild. In response last June, the government declared 'open season' on the green iguanas, offering a bounty of $5-per-head. As my small contribution, I’ve honed some cage-mending skills at the Blue Iguana Reserve.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2016
Date Uploaded: 07.2016
Photo Location: George Town, Cayman Islands
Camera: NIKON D5300
Copyright: © Robert Ong