Arch’s Iguana And
Marine Park is a Roatan-based tourist attraction that prides itself on
conservation and preservation education by providing a natural area for
thousands of iguanas to live without fear of being hunted. In the past, the Roatan iguana was almost made extinct on the island due to
hunting. Sometimes known as the “chicken
of the trees” its meat was used to make a popular local stew.
The iguana
sanctuary was established in the late 1990s and is comprised of 12 acres of
land featuring forest, jungle paths and docks that lead out to the sea. There are as many as 4000 iguanas on the
property and visitors are able to feed, touch and hold the lizards. Every year, a certain number of iguanas are
set free to bolster the wild population on the island.
The sanctuary is
also home to many educational efforts.
Local students and teachers can visit the park free-of-charge and learn
about sustainable agroforestry practices, conservation of the island’s flora
and fauna and reforestation techniques.
The park donates plants to school-run plant nurseries and local
reforestation projects. It also runs a
recycling program which makes use of donated and found plastic containers to be
used as planters and construction materials.
The Roatan iguana sanctuary is also home to
white nosed coatis, white faced monkeys, land turtles and sea life such as
tarpon and lobsters. The park is open
from 8am to 4pm, costs $8 for entrance and is fully accessible with pathways
for wheelchairs.
