Flora & Fauna

The islands support 175 resident and migrant species of birds, including flocks of greater flamingos, frigate birds, ospreys, brown pelicans, the ruby throated humming bird, the belted kingfisher, white billed tropic birds, black-necked stilts, snowy plovers, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, Baltimore orioles and scarlet tanagers and many others. There are lizards, iguanas, two species of snake, including a pygmy boa, and two species of bat.

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The Turks and Caicos National Trust (in Providenciales, T9415710, Director, Mrs Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams) plans to develop and protect the Princess Alexandra National Park on Providenciales’ north shore. The south parts of North, Middle and East Caicos have been designated an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention for the protection of waterbirds, lobster, conch, flora and a fish nursery. A system of conservation has been set up: the islands boast 11 national parks, 4 sanctuaries, 10 nature reserves & 7 historical sites: entrance to sanctuaries by permit only.

In 1998 the British Government approved an allocation of US$1.6mn for the Turks and Caicos to implement a Coastal Resource Management Programme. Its aim is to conserve the natural resources of the islands by more effective management of protected areas, revitalizing the National Parks Service, setting up a headquarters and a National Environment Centre on Provo. A public awareness programme will educate people about the benefits of national parks and a scientific monitoring programme will be initiated for the Marine Parks. The Government will work in collaboration with the National Trust to implement the programme and a 1% tax on food, drinks and accommodation goes into a special fund.

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