Iguana Man
Let’s look to the year 2024 with hope and optimism for the good things life will bring us. Problems or prickly people will always be in our lives, so why not celebrate the good stuff? Maybe because I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” again at Christmas, or maybe because I vacationed in sunny Mexico during the ice-storm, I feel a resurgence of enthusiasm. I’ve been asking myself an important, purpose-driven question:
“What can one person do to make a positive difference in the world?”
Enter the remote Boca village north of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, where we visited a person known only as the Iguana Man. We made sure to arrive by the 11am feeding time. He calls them by name. Dozens of them. Little lime green ones and big old orange ones. I hold my breath as they run between my feet and over my feet to get to the papaya and cut up coconut he doles out.
Iguana Man spends hours everyday caring for them in his sanctuary. Did you know many people think iguanas are a tasty treat? Other predators include cats, coyotes, hawks and snakes. There might not be any critters left in Boca if it weren’t for him. And it’s not just the iguanas that are happy about his dedication. People come from all over to see the iguanas and meet their protector. Iguana man is a grass-roots habitat and creature conservationist, Boca-style.
There may not be any iguanas that need saving where you live, but what other things can we do to make the world a better place?
Hey, Sweet Darling by The Iguanas
