Fauna of Bonaire

The unique landscape of Bonaire forms the natural habitat for numerous animals. For some species, Bonaire is even the only place where they can be found. Additionally, Bonaire is naturally surrounded by the Caribbean Sea with its coral reefs, providing an incredibly rich collection of marine life. In total, more than a thousand different species have been documented on Bonaire and in the surrounding waters.

We saw these beautiful French angelfish while snorkeling at the house reef of Van Der Valk Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire.

Goats and Donkeys

Since the Spanish discovery of Bonaire, new animal and plant species have been introduced to the island, significantly impacting the local ecosystem. The Spaniards brought goats and donkeys, many of which eventually became feral. Due to their insatiable appetite they have put immense pressure on the island’s native flora and fauna.

On Bonaire you’ll encounter donkeys everywhere.

Lionfish

Since October 26, 2009 Bonaire’s coral reef has been dealing with an unwelcome guest: the lionfish (Pterois volitans). This fish is highly voracious and has no natural predators in the waters surrounding the Caribbean island. Its population is increasing at an alarming rate. Authorities in Kralendijk are making efforts to remove as many lionfish as possible from the reef to protect other marine life. Some divers on Bonaire have been trained to capture lionfish. Currently 300 divers on the island are authorized to hunt them. Out of these, 35 divers actively participate in the hunt every week. Each week, hundreds of lionfish are removed from the reefs of this renowned diving destination.

When catching lionfish in Bonaire so-called ELF spears are used. An ELF spear is a type of spear that does not shoot a projectile. This way, the delicate coral remains undamaged. Spearfishing has been banned on Bonaire for years, but the government has made an exception for hunting lionfish. Nowadays, entire instruction manuals have been written on how to address the lionfish problem. In 2012, the book Invasive Lionfish: A Guide to Control and Management was published.

The lionfish has no natural predators.

Lionfish as a Delicacy

Perhaps the key ultimately lies in popularizing the lionfish as a consumable fish (lionfish dishes). The lionfish is, in fact, a particularly delicious fish. There is already a cookbook on the market featuring various recipes with lionfish: The Lionfish Cookbook. The fitting slogan is: "Eat ‘em to Beat ‘em!"

Beetle Infestation

There is also a potential threat on land in Bonaire. Since 2012, the Agave Weevil has been active on the neighboring island of Curaçao. This beetle species poses a significant threat to the agave plants on the island. The beetle bores a small hole in the agave and lays its eggs inside. The larvae will eventually eat their way out, ultimately killing the plant.

The best approach is to treat the plants with insecticides to eliminate the larvae. Additionally, all agave plants imported to Bonaire should be strictly inspected to prevent the beetle from reaching the diving island. Agaves are incredibly important plants for Bonaire's ecosystem. They serve as a crucial food source for bats and birds on the island.

Enchanting Coral Reef

The most remarkable feature of Bonaire’s rich wildlife is its stunning reef. It is home to 469 marine species, an exceptional number within the Caribbean archipelago. Additionally, Bonaire serves as a vital breeding ground for the Caribbean flamingo, which is quite unique. Lastly, rare parrots can be spotted flying across this island in the Leeward Antilles.

To protect and preserve Bonaire’s fragile flora and fauna for future generations, two nature reserves were established on the island more than 30 years ago.

1. The Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) safeguards the surrounding waters of Bonaire.
2. The Washington Slagbaai National Park (WSNP) covers most of the northern part of the island. The BNMP was founded in 1979, making it the world’s first-ever marine park. The WSNP was also established in 1979.

Washington Slagbaai National Park.

Research

In both nature parks staff are constantly working to inventory, document, and protect various animal species. Additionally, extensive scientific research is conducted throughout the year to collect and interpret as much data as possible. Reliable data are essential for effective conservation policies and nature management on Bonaire.

A significant amount of research on Bonaire focuses on five different species of sea turtles that forage and nest on the island. Once captured, the turtles are weighed, examined, and tagged before being released back into the Caribbean Sea. This process helps collect valuable data on these reptiles.

Furthermore, extensive research is conducted on the lora (a parrot species) and the karko (a type of marine mollusk) that inhabit Bonaire.

On Bonaire you can spot the most stunning iguanas and other reptiles.

New Jellyfish Species

Sometimes new animal species are discovered in the waters of Bonaire. A previously unknown jellyfish species has been found on the diving island. It is a venomous box jellyfish that goes by the scientific name Tamaya ohboya.

Lobster Hunting

Some animal species on Bonaire are severely threatened in their survival. This includes lobsters. Due to the high demand from the hospitality industry, these animals are heavily hunted. To protect them, the government of Bonaire has decided that lobsters may only be caught between November 1 and April 30. The designated hunting area is located between Malmok and the Willemstoren on the east coast of the diving island. Furthermore, egg-bearing lobsters and those smaller than 4.7 inches (12 cm) may never be caught.

Fontein

Fontein is the name of a plantation. On the plantation there is a freshwater spring that is fed by water from the limestone plateau of Montaña. The water falls into a cave and is collected in old irrigation basins. However, these irrigation basins have been severely neglected and are not maintained. Due to the presence of fresh water, a green oasis has formed attracting various animal species such as birds and reptiles. Fontein is located along the main route from Rincon to Kralendijk, on the right side of the road.

European Netherlands Investing Heavily in Bonaire’s Nature

In the coming years the European Netherlands will make significant investments in the preservation, management, and strengthening of nature on Bonaire. In 2013 alone, an additional €10 million was allocated for the nature conservation of Bonaire and the other two BES islands.

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Also check out:

• With 10,592 acres of unspoiled nature, Washington Slagbaai National Park is a must-see for nature lovers!
• Beautiful birds live on Bonaire. Learn more about bird watching
• Find the best last-minute deals and package offers to Bonaire

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