The International Iguana Foundation has published a video outlining the crisis faced by the Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei). Endemic to Jamaica, it is the largest native land animal in the country, and is critically endangered, even considered extinct between 1948 and 1990. Once found throughout Jamaica and on the offshore islets Great Goat Island and Little Goat Island, it is now confined to the forests of the Hellshire Hills.

Save Goat Islands, Jamaica

Jamaica's Portland Bight Protected Area and Goat Islands are threatened by the development of a mega port. This is the last place on earth Jamaican Iguanas exist, and home to tens of thousands of people who depend upon the fisheries of the Portland Bight. If destroyed..... it cannot be replaced. Watch, share, and join us in the fight to protect it. #savegoatislands
Double Life Films Robin Moore Conservation Photographer NatureStills Jamaica Environment Trust

Posted by International Iguana Foundation on Thursday, December 10, 2015

Photo: SUMA AQUALIFE PARK
Crossing a railroad track is difficult for turtles with their slow speed. They also are at risk for falling between the tracks and getting stuck, until eventually run over or caught in part of the track’s rail-switching mechanism. Not only do the turtles lose their lives, but the trains can become damaged, causing delays in service.

In an effort to prevent more turtle's deaths while crossing train tracks at Suma Aqualife Park in Kobe, Japan a new turtle crossing has been developed and installed. Carving out U-shaped concrete escape ditches that run beneath the tracks they have escape paths conveniently located close to the tracks’ switch points, where turtles most often get trapped.

Ever since the turtle escape tunnels have been implemented this past April, at least 10 turtles left the train tracks via their new route — saving their lives and minimizing any expenses that may have resulted from train repairs and delays.

Read more at Discovery.

Photo: GetSurry
The most comforting thing in young Charlie Burnett's life is his pet snake. Charlie is a high functioning autistic child and also suffers from Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA), which can result in emotional meltdowns when stress levels are too high.

“It’s changed Charlie’s world,” she told the Woking Advertiser. “I can’t tell you the difference it’s made to our family. We’ve had hamsters in the past but they have done nothing. He’s not interested in them But now I know I can come home from work, take the snake out of the box and he’ll be calm.”

It has also changed his parents feelings on snakes.

“I’m not a snake lover, I’m petrified of them,” admitted Ms Gridley, saying the same went for her partner.

“But being fearful of them is outweighed by the benefit. We grin through the fear.”

REad the full story at GetSurry.