Taking our pet iguana to the Bahamas

[Electric_Iguana]

Does anyone know of another boater with a pet iguana onboard?
She would stay onboard Only, and is tagged/legal and has a
clean bill of health from our vet in Marathon.
(potty trained, obeys commands)

[GreenWave]

Check the Bahamas website. I know that there is a lot to jump through for dogs and cats.

[Montanan]

You can travel to the Bahamas with a pet, provided you meet specific criteria which prove the pet is healthy. Before you travel, you’ll need to apply for an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, and Industry in Nassau. If your pet meets the medical requirements and you have the permit, you can bring your pet with you.


Of issue is whether the specific type of pet: an iguana is of the type that they will allow or whether they may consider it to be an potential invasive species and restrict entry. Such as my grizzly bear cub.


US Embassy - Bahamas.

https://bs.usembassy.gov/traveling-with-pets/


An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources (Nassau) for all animals being brought into any island. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. Applications for such permits, stating the kind of animal, breed, age, sex and country of embarkation (along with a $10 processing fee), must be made in writing to the Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, P.O. Box N-3704, Nassau, The Bahamas. For more information, call 242-325- 7502 or 325-7509.

[jeanathon]

This is the email for Wellington who is an agent I used for my dogs permits. He was good to work with and would probably know. bahamaspetpermit@gmail.com

[Montanan]

FYI:


https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean...0the%20iguanas.

"The Bahamas’ critically endangered iguanas are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Act. Regardless of whether you arrive on your own yacht or with an excursion group, treating these wild creatures with respect is critical to their long-term survival."

"Many middle and southern cays of the Exumas chain are home to the Exuma rock iguana (Cyclura cychlura figginsi), a smaller cousin of the Allen Cay iguana. Bitter Guana Cay, immediately south of Staniel Cay, is popular with local tour operators. The orange-brown San Salvador Rock Iguana (Cyclura rileyi rileyi), a distinct species with three subspecies, lives solely on remote San Salvador, Acklins Bight, and a few cays at the southern end of the Exumas. The third species, the Bobby Cay iguana (Cyclura carinata bartschi), exists only on tiny Booby Cay, off Mayaguana."

[Montanan]

FYI:

Reference link:

https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/Visiting%20The%20Bahamas/Pets/!ut/p/b1/vZTJbqMwAEC_pR_QYhsD4UjCFvY9wAURloSwhaSBwNdPOppDVW kyc5iOfbL07Cc_WSZiIiTiLh2rQ_pe9V3afKxjOiGBpHMcXukS BWiw9S2NsxgZmRT9AKInAAZ_2r8jQjlaDL7fTsLWKY_2KMdViw 51BkGsJ3oWCVq7P4vDQdlQskSR5dGwLMPj4mFYk7JaxvY575q8 60sH00VE9SJwWSbLkkJ5Le_K4l6XMKjZcr1sVYFaAurIn8SpmW eGSyLcqw45kvYhuRuoa71i5fc3QXT6a86nYtajIjX12e_ed53U gL3nQGnR4FWxyzFORpgGjv3y8qsB-M3g_qJB_BT5qPgTeKZ4eoKNiOgBMJ8ALwBgCwHnuNAGWEaER4Q AJ-5pPm-XenFOYAKeZ5OGMCG4BIZeX1zDE-7uuwQ9zpw1YdJ9PBk-pemaoehsqOei46_dG1MZ06PKF6GJPPYh3EBa9SngmvC7hRJlrh 4JGM_iKAQkFfxv4f9NKlkm-e03_PJo_r1QIeJq375NWfsG3khqhRmWpTFaIZqGDBGcfEzx18d XYd1V6VwqtyHiFanCxzWnpjnX6nnlamyjyTJtCbBXh0uzMycdk hvXCRfeLITh7A_obLZZJGOE6lAoQ53FJ-wBttfuS1O7zbCJZ_9o6wxO9jfmclm94vlYXWdzqpy9CG0Yt96B MZs2c4KYDZLuHvixNC9IpXe0KBzYmq3clk9Q1AA_Gp2sYkbuJp g38wLTyyIZayHlZ1dTAtZUjwn0BRZGQpFfr1a9N5TNRwdD7tuC OLf-qNGOvISfZsG9_ACYIvNM/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

Bringing Pets
Sanitary Requirement
The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the import of animals and animal products into The Bahamas under the Animal Contagious Diseases Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Trade Act. These Acts state that a permit is required for the import of any animal and most animal products into The Bahamas.

The Bahamas is a Party to several international environmental and trade agreements including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Plants and Animals (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and must meet our obligations to them.

The Veterinary Services of the Department is currently reviewing and revising all of our import requirements, fees and conditions at this time as a part of our continuing effort to keep abreast of changes in technology and recommendations by the International Standard Setting Bodies (ISSBs) such as the World Animal Health organization (OIE) and also as The Bahamas is seeking to join the WTO.

All inquiries with regards to sanitary requirements or applications should be directed to:

Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Darville's Business Complex
Gladstone and Munnings Roads
PO Box N 3028
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 397-7450/325-7438
Fax: (242) 325-3960
E-mail: minagriculturemarine@bahamas.gov.bs


Application for permit to import domestic animals into the Commonwealth of the Bahamas:

https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/c...df?MOD=AJPERES

The applications states:

*DOMESTIC ANIMALS MEANS PETS (DOGS, CATS, BIRDS, GUINEA PIGS, HAMSTERS, RABBITS AND FRESHWATER TURTLES).
NB: IF IN DOUBT, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE VETERINARY OFFICERS FOR CLARIFICATION ON DOMESTIC ANIMAL SPECIES ALLOWED TO BE IMPORTED

[Adelie]

Welcome to CruisersForum!

[wholybee]

I don't know about the Bahamas, but i know some countries are extremely concerned about iguana stowaways entering unknown, and have large fines if the find one when they clear you in.

Regardless of the policy in the Bahamas, if you intend to cruise worldwide an iguana is a very bad idea.

[Fore and Aft]

Electric Iguana I had to google iguana to make sure that having one as a pet was a thing. I couldn't imagine owning a Goanna down under.
Anyway I have no idea about the Bahamas, but my curiosity is aroused about a potty trained command obeying Iguana. Does it already live onboard the boat, can it really go to the toilet in a litter box and what sort of commands does it obey? Fetch, roll over or shake my hand? I am not sure you can really guarantee the beast is going to stay onboard, that will be the hardest part to prove since they're excellent swimmers.
I would love to see the look on an Australian customs officer if you turned up here with a pet iguana.
Cheers

[OldManMirage]

Originally Posted by jeanathon

This is the email for Wellington who is an agent I used for my dogs permits. He was good to work with and would probably know. bahamaspetpermit@gmail.com

I have heard from multiple sources this is how you want to get your pet into the Bahamas.

It will turn weeks into days. Here is a recent video with the same info and her experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIH8...st=WL&index=15

[Electric_Iguana]

Iguana's are a popular pet in upper USA. They aren't easy pets, and many ppl get it wrong. You can't keep one in a cage, w little interaction and expect it to be 'nice and well behaved'. I have had her for almost 7 years, so yes.. always living on a boat.

Commands are : jump, kiss, come, treat words: quite a few are her fav, but I guess the best ones are beans or bread; which are an occasional treat only. Her recent words are BOY and HOME. And it was very obvious she understood. Dangers words, include People, Dogs, Birds. She knows over 20 words. She actually cuddles, and not for warmth. You can't Make an iguana DO anything they don't want to do. And Yes, she is super tame. I trust her on the back deck of our boat with out any leash, nor enclosure. I imagine that routine would be different while traveling..

having a tame iguana is not a unique thing, but to have one that you trust not to run off, while being so close to water.. That IS. She is family. I would never dream of going to Australia w her. Although my friend from West Swan, Western Australia has visited w our half wild iggies, and loved every minute of it.