170-Year-Old Jamaican Lizard Specimen to be Repatriated from Scotland

A 170-year-old specimen of the Jamaican Giant Galliwasp, a lizard species now presumed extinct, is set to be repatriated from the University of Glasgow's Hunterian Museum in Scotland to its homeland of Jamaica. The specimen, collected in the 1850s, became part of the university's collections in 1888. "This repatriation exercise is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and represents an important milestone for scientific research, cultural heritage preservation, and reparatory justice," said a spokesperson for the University of the West Indies (UWI).

A joint team from UWI and the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) will travel to Glasgow on April 24, 2024 to retrieve the well-preserved specimen. The repatriation is part of a 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between UWI and the University of Glasgow aimed at addressing the historical legacies of colonialism. "The return of the Galliwasp represents a commitment by the University of Glasgow to rectify past injustices and ensure Caribbean ownership of its scientific and cultural treasures," the UWI spokesperson added.

Upon its return to Jamaica, the lizard specimen will be deposited in the Natural History Museum of Jamaica on permanent loan for safekeeping and public access. An official handover ceremony will be held to mark the historic occasion. The Jamaican Giant Galliwasp was last recorded in the mid-19th century, and while there have been unconfirmed sightings in Jamaica, researchers have not been able to establish if the species is fully extinct.

Why this matters: The repatriation of the Jamaican Giant Galliwasp specimen is a significant step towards reparatory justice and the preservation of Caribbean cultural heritage. It sets a precedent for future repatriations and highlights the importance of addressing the historical legacies of colonialism in scientific collections.

The return of the 170-year-old Jamaican Giant Galliwasp specimen to its homeland is the result of ongoing strategic efforts between UWI and the University of Glasgow, including a joint Master's Programme in Reparatory Justice. The repatriation is seen as a small but significant step towards laying the foundation for a regional and international discussion on the repatriation of cultural and scientific artifacts.

Key Takeaways

• 170-year-old Jamaican Giant Galliwasp specimen to be repatriated from Scotland.
• Repatriation part of UWI-Glasgow MoU to address colonial legacies in collections.
• Specimen to be deposited in Jamaica's Natural History Museum for safekeeping.
• Repatriation sets precedent for future cultural heritage repatriations.
• Effort part of ongoing strategic partnership between UWI and University of Glasgow.