Where the wild things are

=Where the wild things are=

Story and photos Army Sergeant Dani White



Many of us two-legged inhabitants of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay have noticed our fellow four-legged neighbors wandering around our living and work areas.

The cyclura nubila, also known as the Cuban rock iguana, the hutia – or banana rat as GTMO residents call it – and plain old stray cats may be the creatures residents notice the most.

Though we interact with them on a regular basis, people may not realize that the way we treat these creatures can have a serious effect on them.

“If people feed the iguanas, they will become food aggressive,” said veterinarian Army Capt. Miriam Lovell. “When this happens we have to relocate them to a new area away from people.”

When iguanas are moved to a new location, another iguana may already inhabit that area. This means that the two iguanas will fight and kill one another for the territory. Animals that develop food aggression can also harm the people around them. People can be accidently bitten if they try to feed the animals.

Bites or scratches from wild animals can cause humans to develop serious symptoms. “Wild animals and strays carry a number of infectious diseases,” Lovell said.” People can get rabies, toxoplasmosis, intestinal parasites, ring worm, and bacterial infections.”

What many people may not know is that GTMO is also a wildlife preservation area, protecting the endangered species that live on the base.

Some of the wildlife on GTMO whose population numbers are low are the hutia, the Cuban kite (a bird), Cuban boa and the Cuban rock iguana.

“These creatures were here first,” Lovell said. “We have amazing endangered animals and they need to be protected.” Lovell added that it is best to give the wild animals on GTMO their space and should be observed from a distance.

Pet owners should keep an eye out for their pets. Lovell treats many house pets that try to eat the poisonous toad that resides around GTMO.

People should also refrain from petting and feeding the stray cats that roam the area. Animal control constantly collects the stray cats and takes them to the GTMO veterinary clinic. She examines them for major health issues and checks to see if they are microchipped.

“If the animals are not microchipped we humanly euthanize them,” Lovell said. “If they are microchipped and adoptable, we will find them a home.”

We share this small strip of land with diverse wildlife, and like any good neighbor, we are responsible for treating these critters and their home as we would want guests to treat our mother’s house when we invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner – with respect and kindness.