In the September 2004 issue of
Iguana The Journal of the International Iguana Society (
www.iguanasociety.org), there is an article titled "Requiem For Godzilla". Here's a short synopsis of the life of Godzilla.
Godzilla was a Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (
Cylcura lewisi), the most endangered iguana in the world. It is estimated that there are only 5-15 wild lewisi left. The banner you see on Herp Center's front page is a direct link to the
Blue Iguana Recovery Program currently in place on Grand Caymen.
Godzilla was captured as a full grown adult in 1950 on Grand Caymen by naturalist Ira Thompson. At that time Godzilla weighed over 15 pounds and was estimated to be at least 15 years old.
Sadly, in late May of this year, according to the article, Godzilla died from age related liver failure. At his death Godzilla was 69 years old! The oldest living lizard on record!
Godzilla passed through a few private owners before he was permenantly placed in the Gladys Porter Zoo, where he has lived and been well cared for since 1997.
Being one of the few surviving wild lewisi, Godzilla's sperm was recovered and stored for future use in an attempt to increase the gene pool of the lewisi population.
Godzilla's species name has changed three times in his life! He started as
Cyclura macleayi lewisi, later became
Cyclura nubila lewisi, and passed away as
Cyclura lewisi.
Godzilla will be sadly missed by all those who kept up on his life, and by those who cared for him all these years.
To Godzilla: There is a very special basking spot for you old fellow in the beautiful Rainbow Tree, where you will once again be surrounded by your kin and friends. God Speed Old Friend. Thank you for your time with us.
Here is a picture of Godzilla, taken from
Iguana:
As always, I encourage everyone to visit and join the International Iguana Society (
www.iguanasociety.org). The IIS is instrumental in programs like the Blue Iguana Recovery Program and your $25 annual membership fee gets you a subscription to this fascinating and beautiful magazine. It is well worth the money you spend and help many species of iguana.
