Animal Diaries Archive

Iguana Experience

12 August 2005

You may remember Peru, our five-year-old Green Iguana, from past diary entries. What you may not know is that she is also a part of our Wandering Wildlife Program. Peru was born here at the zoo in 2000 and the day she hatched is the day her training began. She has progressed so much in that time! Every second day, depending on the weather, she is taken for a walk along with some special treats.

These treats consist of fruit, hibiscus leaves and her favorite which is hibiscus flowers.

Her most enjoyable walk is when we go out into the zoo where she meets lots of interesting people who visit from all over the world. She enjoys this the most because she gets so many pats and, of course, lots of treats. People just love her and are amazed at her beauty and how much she adores the attention.

She is also lucky enough to be a favorite for the Make-A-Wish children who visit the zoo. Hopefully soon we will have a lot more iguanas for our guests to see, as soon as we have completed training with Peru's sister Brazil and brothers Jub Jub and Shrek. She is definitely an animal that visitors will not forget, especially those with a beautiful photo to remember their amazing iguana experience!