The Salina Reserve

The blue iguana lives only on Grand Cayman, and by 2002 a survey found fewer than twenty-five left in the wild, which made it one of the most endangered lizards on earth. A recovery programme run from the botanic park has since bred and released well over a thousand, and the Salina Reserve, a block of dry shrubland and seasonal wetland in the island's interior, was one of the main release sites. It is not set up for casual visitors: the terrain is rough karst, there are no trails to speak of, and access is by arrangement. The programme's visitor side runs at the botanic park instead.

What you actually see

• The blue iguana recovery - one of the more successful reptile programmes anywhere.
• The dry shrubland - the habitat the species depends on.
• The seasonal wetland - flooding and drying through the year.
• The botanic park programme - where the story is told to visitors.

When to go

November to May is the driest. Access to the reserve itself must be arranged with the National Trust and is not routinely available; the botanic park's blue iguana programme runs tours and is the practical way to see the animals and understand the work.

Honest expectations

This is a conservation reserve rather than a visitor site and casual access is not available; anyone wanting to see blue iguanas should go to the botanic park. The terrain is jagged karst that shreds boots. Habitat loss to development remains the main threat to the species despite the breeding success.

Nearby

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is nearby; the Mastic Trail crosses the interior.