International Iguana Foundation Leads International Effort to Save Grand Cayman Blue Iguana from Extinction

7/23/2002

From: Rick Hudson of the International Iguana Foundation, 817-759-7177 or 817-343-7380 (cell) or Rhudson@fortworthzoo.org Allison Alberts of IUCN Iguana Specialist Group from the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, San Diego 619-557-3955 or aalberts@sandiegozoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 23 -- Prompted by alarming new statistics on the population of the Grand Cayman blue iguana, scientists sponsored by the International Iguana Foundation (IIF) are mobilizing a response to this crisis that could involve the removal of the last remaining wild specimens to the safety of captivity. Such a move would be similar to the efforts to rescue the California condor nearly 20 years ago, which has become a highly successful conservation program.

In a report issued June 22, 2002 by Fred Burton, Director of the Iguana Recovery Program of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, it is estimated that only 10 to 25 blue iguanas remain in the wild (down from 100 to 200 estimated in a 1993 survey). The new population figures make blue iguanas one of the most critically endangered reptile species in the world. Including blue iguanas living at US zoos/aquariums and a captive facility in Grand Cayman as part of a species recovery plan, an estimated total of 91 to 120 blue iguanas exist worldwide.

The report is a result of surveys conducted between December 2001 and June 2002 as part of the Blue Iguana Recovery Plan, a document detailing wide-ranging conservation measures of the blue iguana. The stated purpose of the plan is "to restore a wild population of the Grand Cayman blue iguana sufficient to remain viable in the long term." The new report concluded that without intervention and immediate preventative measures, the surviving wild population would be functionally extinct within the next five years.

The report further states, "Since 1993 the habitat occupied by Blue Iguanas (not including the managed population released by the Trust in the QE II Botanic Park) has shrunk from approximately 7.0 to 3.7 square kilometers, and within the remaining range the population has been reduced approximately five-fold. Many of the surviving iguanas are isolated, with only one location identified where breeding has occurred in the last two years."

Species Decline Once in abundance, iguana populations throughout the Caribbean islands began to decline with the advance of colonization. The situation on Grand Cayman is compounded by rapidly expanding development on the small island. In the wake of encroaching civilization, pristine habitats were destroyed and replaced with residential and commercial development that continues today, leaving virtually no natural habitat for the iguana.

The few remaining blue iguanas are isolated in small habitat pockets. Uncontrolled feral cats kill most of the young iguanas, while some of the adult iguanas are killed by free-ranging domestic dogs or hit by cars while basking on new roadways as the human population expands throughout the island.

Conservation Plan "In the long term, it is clear that the future of wild blue iguanas must now rest on managed populations in protected areas," says Burton. "Sufficient protected habitat does not currently exist to support the numbers of wild iguanas that are needed to secure the future of the species. Additional protected habitat for blue iguanas is therefore essential."

The short-term outlook for this rare iguana will likely depend on captive programs, both in Grand Cayman (in situ) and the U.S. (ex situ). The ex situ program consists of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Rock Iguana Species Survival Plan (SSP), which will attempt to maintain a stable and genetically diverse captive population of 225 iguanas as a hedge against extinction in the wild. In the absence of wild sub-populations, the SSP captive iguanas effectively will become the backup population. The success of this effort will require the commitment of more zoos to house and breed blue iguanas. New dedicated iguana management facilities in warm-climate southern zoos are desperately needed. Currently there are 10 U.S. zoos or aquariums housing a total of 24 blue iguanas (plus some eggs and new hatchlings) as part of the SSP. The U.S. blue iguanas are housed at the Bermuda Aquarium; the National Zoo, Washington D.C.; Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, KS; Tulsa Zoo; Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnett Park, Syracuse, NY; St. Catherine's Island Wildlife Survival Center, Midway, GA (run by Wildlife Conservation Society of the Bronx Zoo); Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, TX; Indianapolis Zoo; Central Florida Zoo, Sanford, FL; and the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago.

The in situ program will need to expand the scope of its operation in order to generate larger numbers of hatchling iguanas that can be head-started for future release. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has managed a captive breeding facility on Grand Cayman since 1990, producing small numbers of iguanas that are being released annually in the adjacent Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Botanic Park. The released population has now grown to some 30 individuals, but the park's area is far too small to accommodate the recommended 1000-strong population size needed for long-term viability. With the Trust-run facility at maximum capacity, funds are urgently needed to construct new breeding and rearing enclosures. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, through the IIF, recently awarded a grant that will support the purchase of construction materials, but additional funding is still needed to complete the project.

Donations Needed The IIF was established as a Texas non-profit 501 c(3) corporation in August 2001 in Fort Worth, Texas. Formed in response to the need for consistent funding for critical iguana conservation initiates, the IIF is composed of 12 board members representing the zoo, corporate and private sectors. The IIF seeks to ensure the survival of all iguana species through the promotion of a broad conservation agenda involving habitat protection, education, scientific research and captive management.

Extinction of the blue iguana is not inevitable, but the conservation community and its many supporters worldwide must act decisively and quickly to prevent it. Additional donations (financial and supplies) are needed. Tax deductible donations can be made to the International Iguana Foundation (International Iguana Foundation, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76110; Attention: Rick Hudson). For more information regarding the Blue Iguana Recovery Plan, visit www.cyclura.com. Currently the website offers a number of blue iguana-related merchandise, including a special "Got the Blues" poster featuring art of the blue iguana, as well as mouse pads and blue iguana apparel. All profits from the sale of these items go directly to the Blue Iguana Recovery Program.

Note: Professional-quality digital photographs of Cayman Island Blue Iguanas are available by contacting Jackie Ferguson at jmfrgsn@flash.net, or by phone at 817-691-3635.