TX Press:Iguana Foundation Leads Effort to Save Blue Iguana

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Posted by Desiree on July 23, 2002 at 23:19:56:

Iguana Foundation Leads Effort to Save Blue Iguana
U.S. Newswire
23 Jul 11:45
International Iguana Foundation Leads International Effort to Save
Grand Cayman Blue Iguana from Extinction
To: National Desk, Environmental Reporter
Contact: 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 /U.S. Newswire/ -- 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 http://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.

http://www.usnewswire.com
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
07/23 11:45

Iguana Foundation Leads Effort to Save Blue Iguana

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: Iguana Foundation Leads Effort to Save Blue Iguana : U.S. Newswire : 23 Jul 11:45 : International Iguana Foundation Leads International Effort to Save : Grand Cayman Blue Iguana from Extinction : To: National Desk, Environmental Reporter : Contact: 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 /U.S. Newswire/ -- 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 http://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. : http://www.usnewswire.com : -0- : /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ : 07/23 11:45

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