‘iShowSpeed welcome team sought permission to display live iguana out of season’
MINISTER OF TOURISM, Dr. Kishore Shallow, said that permission was sought for the iShowSpeed welcome team to display a live iguana during the current closed season.
Dr. Shallow’s comments come on the heels of a local environmental conservation group, ‘Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education’ (SCIENCE), expressing concerns in a public statement that environmental protection laws were violated when meat, said to be that of iguana, was served to the globally renowned online streamer and influencer, American Darren ‘iShowSpeed’Watkins Jr. on Wednesday evening, April 28, 2026.
SCIENCE expressed “profound disappointment and concern” and said that the action constituted a clear and deliberate breach of national wildlife protection laws since we are now in the Closed Season, which runs from February 1 to September 30 September, annually.
“It also represents a serious failure of leadership and responsibility. Every Vincentian, and those entrusted with authority are expected to uphold and enforce the laws, not violate it. Such behaviour erodes public trust and undermines national efforts to conserve and protect the biodiversity of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the release stated.
In response, Dr. Shallow said that his ministry sought permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders.
“It was one of the discussions that took place on the Monday when we had all the stakeholders in the room- Ministry of Agriculture “…just hours before, our permanent secretary was speaking to their permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture…,” Dr. Shallow stated.
He said the iguana,that was seen in a cage alive, was taken to the scene by the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition to the iguana on display, IShowSpeed was given “wild meat” to eat and was later told it was iguana meat.
“…they were there too…” Minister Shallow said of the Ministry of Agriculture personnel.
“…I suspect they just let it go after…but that was it. I can’t confirm whether he actually ate the iguana or not,” Shallow said smiling.
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