Island Iguanas In Peril
Numerous Caribbean islands are each home to a different species of iguana—most of which are critically endangered.
Why? Only fragments of their dry forest habitat remain because of development. What's more, young iguanas and eggs fall prey to cats and dogs, introduced by humans.
Where There's Help, There's Hope
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands operates a recovery program for Grand Cayman blue iguanas. One project involves collecting eggs for controlled incubation. The program also breeds iguanas and releases them into protected areas.
The goal is to restore a wild blue iguana population that can remain viable.
More Help for Caribbean Iguanas
The San Salvador iguana, plagued by introduced cats and dogs, is the focus of a project to move iguanas to nearby "safe" islands (free of non-native predators). National Zoo and Fort Worth Zoo veterinarians gave checkups to 21 iguanas prior to their relocation. All passed—no parasites or harmful bacteria—and some were even in breeding condition. more about the Grand Cayman iguana
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