Road kills of iguanas in Puerto Rico

Iguanas are part of the Puerto Rican environment. Many iguanas live in forests, others are domesticated as pets. In Puerto Rico, people drive without precaution, and that’s why many accidents occur every day. Incidents in the streets of Puerto Rico are very common because people drive irresponsibly, and iguanas are one of the most common road kills in the island.

 

Today’s drivers are very irresponsible because they drive without precautions, causing more deaths every day. When road kills happen, many people do not care and pass by as if nothing is wrong. I once witnessed a road kill of an iguana. The iguana was in the side of the street trying to cross and a car ran over it. The person did not stop nor acted concerned. I was behind and my first reaction was of disgust. All of the cars passed by and neither stopped. The iguana was dead and no one seemed to care. I did not stop because the iguana was already dead and it would be useless to stop, and I think that’s why others did not stop either. Possible solutions to minimize road kills would be for people to drive more carefully, and with conscience that animals have lives too. In roads that animals are common to appear, the state should put signs of precaution in order for drivers to know when they are entering a zone like this.

 

In Puerto Rico road kills are very common. People should have more conscience that we are not the only ones on the road. Sometimes animals appear on the side of the road because they want to cross to the other side, and that is when drivers should be careful. As we human beings have life, animals have life too. People should drive more carefully when they see an animal on the side of the road, whether is an iguana or another animal. Just as we do, animals deserve to live.

Relationship Between Humans and Animals in Society

          Animals are not simply our pets or another member of the family. As a matter of fact, the can play a rather profound role in our lives. Ever since the beginning of human history, humans have interacted with animals. In the beginning, animals were overall hunted and eaten, but as time passed by they were incorporated into the civilization. That’s why the relationship between humans and animals have developed.

 

            We humans are accustomed to dominate inferior beings in order to have the feeling of superiority. But in fact, my relationship with animals is not based on tyranny nor exploitation but one based on affect, respect and cooperation. My beliefs on animals can be categorized not only as psico-emotional, but also as moral. When I say psico-emotional, it’s because I’ve had encounters with therapeutic animals and had the privilege to watch this animals do their job. Also, I consider my moral beliefs on animal a good and positive one. I acknowledge animals as admirable beings that can serve us, humans, as teachers. And why is that? Because they can help us reflect on our hidden issues. Moreover, they can help us understand when we need help and which part of us needs healing. Not to mention, in history there have been events in which animals have been recognized as heroes because of their loyalty and affect towards their loved ones. For example, dogs that have helped in catastrophes and have found people on the verge of death.

 

            Given these points, that is why, in my point of view, I think that animals and humans should live in equality. Because, it’s been proven that animals can help humans as much as humans can help others. Humans shouldn’t have that sense of superiority upon animals, because animals have proved themselves to be as much as useful and helpful as humans are. “A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his” said John Grogan on Marley & Me. Even though, John Grogan mention dogs, it can also be applied to other animals. Animals will always have their sense of loyalty and affect if you show them the same in return.