Cuba’s political and economic isolation has provided the outside world little opportunity to see its wildlife … until now. It may be renowned for its politics and its cigars, but Cuba is home to some of the most unusual creatures on earth, including the feisty Cuban crocodile, the world’s smallest bird and frog, and migrating land crabs.
Cuba’s diverse wildlife stems from its unique natural history. Cuba was not originally in the Caribbean Sea but in the Pacific Ocean, where the island was situated 100 million years ago, before the forces of continental drift slowly brought it into the Caribbean. As the island migrated over the ages, an astonishing variety of life arrived by air, sea, and possibly by land bridges that may have once existed. Over time, these animals adapted to their new environment. Today, more than half of Cuba’s plants and animals, including more than 80 percent of its reptiles and amphibians, are found nowhere else on the planet.
Protected by its isolation, the wildlife of Cuba has remained naturally preserved, untouched, and unexplored. Through a special arrangement with the Cuban government, unprecedented access was granted to film the island’s natural riches.
Join NATURE in exploring Cuba’s coral reefs, swamps, forests, and caves to uncover the astonishing diversity of life on the island.
Online content for Cuba: Wild Island of the Caribbean was posted January 2005.
I am from Cuba, and I think this is a very beautiful work. Congratulations, Lourdes Cabral
I am interested in the name of a song in this documentary. Words: Sabrosa – mi tierra – mi amor es por ti. Is there a soundtrack? Any information you might be able to give me is much appriciated. Thank you, Yelcka
hello i am olivia and im from canada its very nice to learn abaout this like this!!! thanks
I’m from Puerto Rico but I’m so curious about Cuba that I would love to visit La Habana and all of the island soon. Isn’t it time to end this ridiculously outdated embargo so that we Americans can freely travel to the island? Fidel has enjoyed his “malanga” all along and the common people are the ones that are suffering under this embargo.
That is so freaken cool. Im from GA and I just learned a lot from this information. Thankyou!! See Ya!!
cuba is fricken awsome hell ya
Dear 13- Please tell me how and $ to get a video copy of this beautiful work. Congratulations- JULIO
I liked the crocodile video.
Cuba is indeed a beautiful island and the people are wonderful, except for the ruling dictator and his thugs. The embargo is dated, but so is the Castro regime.
An interesting show, but the mass of the Bee Hummingbird was grossly misreported.
Hi, could you tell me if you know any Cuban animals that start with “Q,” or “Z”?
Awesome!! If communism’s greatest shortfall is the gross misallocation of human capital maybe its greatest triumph is the resulting nonallocation of Natural i.e wild capital? No really though for a medium sized island nation that lacks a massive tourism industry its natural places are seemingly vast and pristine I cant wait to go there.
i was borne there 52 years ago,it seems fiting that after their expirament. is almost is almost diying? they wish to negotiate.bravo…you dont whant to take communisum lightly.
Beautiful and fascinating program. Where can I get the soundtrack?
Glad you liked it! Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer a soundtrack for this program.
The freaking embargo was caused by the communist in 1961—They stole everything, from small grocery stores to big cuban and american property. They paid nothing, and they destoryed everything….that’s the freaking cause of the embargo…..r
Just been there on holiday and compared with the capitalist Dominican republic, Cuba is a far better place. The education levels and health care system are world class.
Beautiful documentary and beautiful island! However, Cuba is in reality an ecological disaster. The waters are contaminated and they have introduced new foreign species, like the Claria fish, that have destroyed the native species. The underground waters are salty in many areas. The government has built reservoirs on almost every river and this has created an increased rate of evaporation. Many rivers are dying. The MARABÚ, an African invasive plant, has taken over many agricultural areas. Please help!!!!
Don’t take Communism lightly. Look at the whole world. Do you think it is a coincidence that the world started to desintegrate after 1960. Look at the U.S. May the good Lord help us all.
Hi,
My name is Juan Carlos Ocana. I was working for almost two years as location manager in this film “Cuba: Wild Island of the Caribbean” It was a great experience. Thanks my friend Paul Reddish (the producer) now I know many things about wildlife filming. I see you have interesting points of view about Cuban nature. It would be a pleasure to help you. Yu can write me directly to my email JC@NatureXperts.com
Best wishes,
Juan Carlos
HI,MY NAME IS ZAHNIYA, AND I WANT TO VISIT CUBA SO BAD IVE BEEN SEARCHING THE COMPUTER FOR THIS AND CUBA IS AN ISLAND AND I HOPE I COME VISIT THE ISLAND CUBA IVE FOUND IT AND TOLD MY FRIENDS ABOUT IT AND THEY WAS LIKE WOW IT IS AWESOME THAT YOU FOUND CUBA.
SINCERLY ,ZAHNIYA LE’ BAKER LATTIMORE!!!!
all of you guy are stuipd
i am writing a book with an island that wil have similar features and animals as cuba, this information will definately help me, thank you!
Alonso Rojas is a liar and gets paid to do so!