Article:The Grand Cayman Blue Iguana: Battling Extinction

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Posted by sklavin on July 22, 2002 at 14:42:35:

1) The Grand Cayman Blue Iguana: Battling Extinction
AJ Gutman, International Iguana Society
John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation
The Grand Cayman Blue Rock Iguana, (Cyclura nubila lewisi) according to
recent reports, is a species with only 10 to 25 individuals remaining in
the wild and fewer than 120 specimens in total worldwide. This places the
magnificent Blue Iguana in the frightening position of being the most
critically endangered reptile on earth. Without urgent intervention, the
report further states, this animal will be functionally extinct in the wild
within 5 years.
Unique to Grand Cayman Island, the Blue Iguana can grow to 5 feet in length
and weigh up to 20 pounds This giant lizard faces many of the same threats
that have decimated populations of Rock Iguanas (genus Cyclura) throughout
the West Indies. Chief among these is the habitat destruction wrought by
the demands of human development. What little pristine habitat remains has
been methodically paved over, fragmenting and isolating the steadily
declining iguana populations. Although fossil evidence shows that the Blue
Iguana was once distributed throughout Grand Cayman, a meager 3.7 square
kilometers of habitat remain within its original range.
Historically, the Rock Iguanas evolved as the largest land-dwelling
vertebrates in their respective habitats. Adapted to the rugged terrain and
sparse vegetation of the West Indian dry forest, they were able to thrive,
despite low reproductive rates, because they faced no natural predators.
The introduction of feral animals that has come with human occupation has
been devastating. Rats, cats and dogs prey on nests and kill off juveniles,
leaving few iguanas that survive to reproduce. Goats and pigs compete with
the iguanas for the limited food supply, and in many areas hunting has also
contributed to the population decline.
Conservationists have long been aware of the endangered status of the Blue
Iguana. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands initiated a captive
breeding program as early as 1990, incorporating animals which were being
illegally held in captivity at various locations on the island plus
hatchlings, which were found roaming in high risk areas. Although breeding
of a small number of animals has been sustained for many years, the
difficulty has always been the limited amount of available habitat into
which the animals could be released. Contact with animals released with
radio-tracking devices would inevitably fail as they wandered beyond the
limits of the existing protected areas only to fall prey to farm dogs and
road accidents.
In November of 2001, the World Conservation Union - Iguana Specialist Group
(IUCN-ISG) produced the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Species Recovery Plan
detailing wide-ranging conservation measures. 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 most critical objective
of the plan is to establish a protected area sufficient to support a wild
population of 1,000 animals. International fundraising efforts are needed
to provide funds for securing land, restoring habitat and undertaking feral
animal control measures. Renovation and expansion of the existing breeding
facility, improvements to nutrition and husbandry as well as recruitment
and training of new staff are necessary so that a sufficient number of
animals will be available for reintroduction into portions of the Blue
Iguana's former range and restocking the new preserve.
The short-term prospects for this rare iguana are dependent upon captive
propagation, both on Grand Cayman and in the US. The American Zoo
Association (AZA) Iguana Species Survival Plan (SSP) is hoping to establish
and maintain a genetically diverse captive population of 225 iguanas as a
hedge against extinction in the wild. This effort requires an increased
commitment on the part of zoo community and the establishment of dedicated
iguana management facilities in warm-climate zoos is desperately needed.
Extinction of the Blue Iguana is not inevitable, but quick and decisive
action from the conservation community worldwide is required in order to
prevent it. Assistance, funding and corporate sponsorships must be found
in order to support the measures outlined in the Blue Iguana Recovery Plan.
For more information on the Recovery Plan and how you can help, or if you
are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, please visit
http://cyclura.com. We still have time and an opportunity to restore these
magnificent blue lizards to their former glory in the wild.

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: 1) The Grand Cayman Blue Iguana: Battling Extinction : AJ Gutman, International Iguana Society : John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation : The Grand Cayman Blue Rock Iguana, (Cyclura nubila lewisi) according to : recent reports, is a species with only 10 to 25 individuals remaining in : the wild and fewer than 120 specimens in total worldwide. This places the : magnificent Blue Iguana in the frightening position of being the most : critically endangered reptile on earth. Without urgent intervention, the : report further states, this animal will be functionally extinct in the wild : within 5 years. : Unique to Grand Cayman Island, the Blue Iguana can grow to 5 feet in length : and weigh up to 20 pounds This giant lizard faces many of the same threats : that have decimated populations of Rock Iguanas (genus Cyclura) throughout : the West Indies. Chief among these is the habitat destruction wrought by : the demands of human development. What little pristine habitat remains has : been methodically paved over, fragmenting and isolating the steadily : declining iguana populations. Although fossil evidence shows that the Blue : Iguana was once distributed throughout Grand Cayman, a meager 3.7 square : kilometers of habitat remain within its original range. : Historically, the Rock Iguanas evolved as the largest land-dwelling : vertebrates in their respective habitats. Adapted to the rugged terrain and : sparse vegetation of the West Indian dry forest, they were able to thrive, : despite low reproductive rates, because they faced no natural predators. : The introduction of feral animals that has come with human occupation has : been devastating. Rats, cats and dogs prey on nests and kill off juveniles, : leaving few iguanas that survive to reproduce. Goats and pigs compete with : the iguanas for the limited food supply, and in many areas hunting has also : contributed to the population decline. : Conservationists have long been aware of the endangered status of the Blue : Iguana. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands initiated a captive : breeding program as early as 1990, incorporating animals which were being : illegally held in captivity at various locations on the island plus : hatchlings, which were found roaming in high risk areas. Although breeding : of a small number of animals has been sustained for many years, the : difficulty has always been the limited amount of available habitat into : which the animals could be released. Contact with animals released with : radio-tracking devices would inevitably fail as they wandered beyond the : limits of the existing protected areas only to fall prey to farm dogs and : road accidents. : In November of 2001, the World Conservation Union - Iguana Specialist Group : (IUCN-ISG) produced the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Species Recovery Plan : detailing wide-ranging conservation measures. 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 most critical objective : of the plan is to establish a protected area sufficient to support a wild : population of 1,000 animals. International fundraising efforts are needed : to provide funds for securing land, restoring habitat and undertaking feral : animal control measures. Renovation and expansion of the existing breeding : facility, improvements to nutrition and husbandry as well as recruitment : and training of new staff are necessary so that a sufficient number of : animals will be available for reintroduction into portions of the Blue : Iguana's former range and restocking the new preserve. : The short-term prospects for this rare iguana are dependent upon captive : propagation, both on Grand Cayman and in the US. The American Zoo : Association (AZA) Iguana Species Survival Plan (SSP) is hoping to establish : and maintain a genetically diverse captive population of 225 iguanas as a : hedge against extinction in the wild. This effort requires an increased : commitment on the part of zoo community and the establishment of dedicated : iguana management facilities in warm-climate zoos is desperately needed. : Extinction of the Blue Iguana is not inevitable, but quick and decisive : action from the conservation community worldwide is required in order to : prevent it. Assistance, funding and corporate sponsorships must be found : in order to support the measures outlined in the Blue Iguana Recovery Plan. : For more information on the Recovery Plan and how you can help, or if you : are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, please visit : http://cyclura.com. We still have time and an opportunity to restore these : magnificent blue lizards to their former glory in the wild.

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