




































Iguana 10.2


Anegada
R.H. Schomburgk first noted the presence of

Cyclura pinguis (Stout or Anegada Iguana) on
Anegada in 1832, but literature documenting the
status of this species has been sparse. However,
each progressive publication has described or
implied an ever-increasing concern for its survival.
Accounts from the 1940s and 1950s are essentially
non-existent. By the early 1960s, large-scale devel-
opment was planned for Anegada. Although these
plans were never fully realized, the initial ground-
work destroyed the traditional stone paddocks used
to corral livestock, unleashing goats, sheep, cattle,
and burros to roam and propagate freely. Excessive
grazing has since reduced the natural plant com-
munity to secondary, largely toxic vegetation.
Today, almost all free-ranging cattle and burros are
emaciated and only goats are thriving.

In 1968, W. Michael Carey conducted a field
study on the ethoecology of the Stout Iguana and,
in his classic 1975 paper, stated: “whatever the
methods, steps must be taken now to ensure the
continued existence of C. pinguis on Anegada.”

This statement was based in large part on his
observations of competition for available food
between Stout Iguanas and livestock and of pre-
dation on iguanas by domestic mammals.

Following Carey, James Lazell worked with
Stout Iguanas in 1980 and 1982–1986 and Numi
Mitchell worked with them in 1987–1996. Glenn
Gerber, then with the University of Tennessee and
presently with the Zoological Society of San
Diego, began working on the species in 1998
under auspices of the IUCN/SSC Iguana
Specialist Group (now funded by the International
Iguana Foundation) and the British Virgin Islands
National Parks Trust (BVINPT).

James Lazell first observed Stout Iguanas on
Anegada in 1980 while employed by The
Department of Natural Resources and the
Environment (DNRE), Government of the British
Virgin Islands. Expecting to find large densities at
Citron Bush, the site of Carey’s 1968 study, he
instead found that iguanas had completely disap-
peared from the area in the intervening 11 years.
Lazell subsequently found the highest remaining

Stout Iguanas: Historical
Perspectives and Status Report

John Binns
International Reptile Conservation Foundation

(All photographs are by the author unless otherwise indicated)

39IGUANAJune 2003

Emaciated cattle are a common sight on Anegada.
Although the vegetation appears rich, the plant matter is all
secondary growth.

This Anegada Iguana was estimated to be over 20 years old.



concentration of iguanas at Bones Bight, which today
remains one of the core areas for the species.

Carey’s warning was reiterated by others, but
efforts to fund the removal of livestock and feral
predators remain mostly unsuccessful, despite
some recent activity. In 1997, concrete efforts to
secure the species’ future materialized in the form
of the Anegada Iguana Headstart Facility. In
October 1997, at the request of BVINPT, West
Indian Iguana Specialist Group (WIISG) members
Rick Hudson (Fort Worth Zoo), Jeff Lemm (San
Diego Zoo, CRES), and Rondel Smith (BVINPT)
constructed a small facility to house three juvenile
Stout Iguanas found floating in Manhead Pond.
The facility provides a safe haven for collected

hatchlings until they are large enough to reduce
the threat of feral predators A year later, a grant
from the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office to
the BVINPT and WIISG T-shirt and poster sales
funded construction of the main complex by Rick
Hudson and Jeff Lemm, joined this time by Mike
Fouraker and Glenn Gerber. In August 2001, the
International Reptile Conservation Foundation
(IRCF) and the BVINPT funded an upgrade to
the facilities to increase captive capacity. Team
members for this project were John and Sandy
Binns (IRCF), Alberto Alvarez (PR-DNRE),
Juliann Sweet, Joel Friesch (IRCF), and Rondel
Smith and Lee Vanterpool (BVINPT).

To date, none of these head-started captives
have been released into the wild, but a limited
release on Anegada, coupled with the relocation of
a few captives to a neighboring island, has been
discussed. In conjunction with this dialogue, a
population assessment of Stout Iguanas is planned

40 IGUANA Volume 10, Number 2

Aerial photograph of Bones and Windlass Bight, Anegada,
BVI. This small stretch of land that lies between the ocean
and salt ponds is the only core Stout Iguana habitat left on
Anegada. Access cuts as well as the main road passing
through the area are visible in the photograph.

The Anegada Iguana Headstart Facility’s new sign is
displayed proudly at the entrance.

This five-year-old captive Anegada Iguana is one of the
older animals at the facility. Captive iguanas at the facility
tend to be smaller than iguanas observed on Guana and
Necker in the same age groups.

The Anegada Iguana Headstart Facilities currently hold
about 80 captives. The two structures at the front left are
new cages located close to the gate, allowing visitors to
view these rare animals. The main cage system lies behind
these new cages. Current keepers, Rondel Smith and Lee
Vanterpool, have made substantial improvements and all
animals are in good health.



during July 2003 to update the previously pub-
lished estimate of fewer than 200 remaining in
existence.

Controlling livestock or feral predators on
Anegada is nearly impossible due to the island’s
remote location and the tens of thousands of dol-
lars that would be required. So, in 1980, in light
of the obviously rapid and apparently unchecked
decline of the iguana population during the previ-
ous decade, Lazell and his colleagues believed that
the species was headed for extinction — unless
something was done immediately. Because a solu-
tion on Anegada was not feasible and Anegada was
the only place where the species still existed, the
obvious recourse was to establish a second popu-
lation — but where and by what means?

Guana
Essentially all possible relocation sites in the

British Virgin Islands were equally infested with
feral predators and goats. However, in 1932,
Chapman Grant had noted the presence of iguanas
on Guana Island and had identified the species as
Iguana iguana (Common or Green Iguana), but
the presence of that species was never confirmed
and none has been seen since. Sometime in the
mid-1930s, Louis Bigelow, then owner of Guana
Island, had extirpated goats and had banned
woodcutting for making charcoal. This had left
only a couple of domesticated burros and free-
ranging sheep on the island. The latter are far less
destructive than goats.

In 1974, Henry and Gloria Jarecki purchased
Guana Island. Access to this small island (300 ha)
is limited, although it lies only a few kilometers
from Tortola. The exclusive Guana Island Club
had been constructed in a location designed to

41IGUANAJune 2003

Fallen Jerusalem, BVI: this small island is a possible reloca-
tion site for some of the head-started animals on Anegada.
This island, with no feral livestock, is well fortified with
large rock boulders that offer a degree of protection during
heavy storms and hurricanes.

Heavily degraded habitat on the East End of Anegada near
Crasy Pond once supported subpopulations of Stout
Iguanas. In 1984, the DOA converted a deep freshwater
limestone solution hole called “The Fountain” to an above-
ground watering hole, providing a permanent water source
for feral livestock. Recent surveys in and around the East
End suggest that Stout Iguanas have been extirpated.

A Guana Island view to the north showcases its rich flora.

Guana Island’s lush habitat clearly demonstrates the positive
results of controlling feral animals.



minimize impact on the natural habitat, attribut-
able to the foresight of Louis Bigelow, who chose
the construction site of the main clubhouse in the
1930s. Hiking trails around the island also were
conceived to protect and minimize destruction of
the lush vegetation.

In 1980, Lazell initially approached Mary
Randall, then Guana Island Club Manager, to
determine if the owners would allow relocation of
Stout Iguanas. Randall was very enthusiastic about
the concept, but two years would pass before Lazell
would meet the owners and take the next step.

In the interim, he continued working on a
plan that would establish a second population of
Stout Iguanas while promoting other conservation
and restoration goals in the British Virgin Islands.
An idea for an exchange of species came with the
realization that the vast salt ponds of Anegada,
which had supported large colonies of Greater
Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) in the 19th cen-
tury, could be restored if funds could be found.
The beauty of this plan was the mutual benefits to
all parties involved: the British Virgin Islands and
the residents of Anegada would benefit from the
reintroduction of flamingos and, at the same time,
the second population would provide some assur-
ance for the long-term survival of Stout Iguanas.

Lazell first discussed the plan with several
Anegada residents. One of them was the late
Clement Faulkner, who maintained a Stout Iguana
feeding station adjacent to his home in Bones
Bight. The plan next was presented to Robert
Creque (DNRE), Lazell’s boss at that time.
Everyone agreed that the idea made eminently
good sense.

In March 1982, Lazell finally discussed the
possibility of relocating iguanas with the Jareckis,
who were initially apprehensive. Would Stout
Iguanas damage the island they had worked so
hard to protect? Would they bite staff or visitors or
destroy ornamental plants on the hotel grounds?
These questions would take some time to answer.
However, that meeting was instrumental in devel-
oping the long-term relationship between the
Jareckis and The Conservation Agency (Lazell)
that continues today.

During the remainder of March and April
1982, Lazell surveyed the island with the help of
Lianna, Divonne, and Tom Jarecki (nieces and son
of Henry and Gloria) and the late author, Gerald
Durrell, who happened to be vacationing there.

Lazell visited Guana regularly over the next
several years, conducting fieldwork with the aid of
the managers, Mary Randall and her successor
John Damron. Lazell also continued to build a
portfolio of published papers and testimonials not-
ing the disastrous effects of feral competitors and
predators on Stout Iguanas and their habitat.
Major contributors were the late Dr. William
MacLean (University of the Virgin Islands), Walter
Phillips of Water Island, USVI, Dr. Robert
Chipley, and Nick Clarke, former Director of the
National Parks Trust, BVI.

In 1984, the Jareckis agreed to rid their island
of sheep, provide a sanctuary for Stout Iguanas,
and fund the relocation of flamingos. Their deci-
sion certainly was influenced by Lazell’s efforts,
but they also were drawn into wildlife conservation

42 IGUANA Volume 10, Number 2

Practically any view from Guana Island is breathtaking.

“Hambone,” one of the founding iguanas on Guana Island,
frequents the vicinity of the Club. Photograph by Numi
Mitchell.



through the interest their sons and nieces had
shown. Today, Eugene Jarecki remains interested
in conservation, Tom Jarecki works for the
Environmental Defense Fund, and Lianna Jarecki
is teaching biology at H.L. Stoutt Community
College on Tortola, BVI and is finishing her Ph.D.
with a thesis on salt pond ecology.

In July 1984, Lazell and four colleagues set off
to Anegada in search of the first Stout Iguana des-
tined for relocation to Guana Island. Lazell even-
tually captured a large, healthy, gravid female (SVL
46 cm) that was taken to Guana, where she was
released on 29 July 1984. The other seven iguanas
that comprised the founding stock (sex, SVL, and
release date) were: male (41 cm; 19 July 1985),
female (44 cm; 19 July 1986), female (22.4 cm, 27
July 1986), two females (33.5 and 43 cm, latter
gravid) and two males (50.4 and 50.9 cm; 31 July
1986). Guana now had the foundation for a sec-
ond population, but years would pass before the
success of the relocation could be evaluated.

Lazell next set out to complete the species
exchange plan. The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum,
and Zoo (BAMZ) had both captive-bred and
wild-stock flamingos and agreed to donate a num-
ber sufficient for establishing a population. Numi
Mitchell (TCA) arranged the international transfer
of the birds (BVI Agriculture and Fisheries Permit
and veterinary certification of the birds’ health,
especially Newcastle’s Disease). Numi and Glenn
Mitchell (TCA) and James Conyers (BAMZ)
transported the birds by jet from Bermuda to
Tortola and then by boat to Anegada. The flaming-
os initially were released into a net holding pen at
the salt ponds, allowing them to recuperate and

adjust to their new environment. On 7 March
1992, in a ceremony at the north end of the salt
ponds, the Governor, the National Parks Trust,
and the Anegada community celebrated the arrival
of the first 18 birds. By 2002, the flock had multi-
plied to approximately 80 resident birds (Guana
also supports six pinioned flamingos in a small salt
pond, but they do not reproduce because the pop-
ulation density is too low).

Necker
Necker Island, like Guana, is privately owned

and exclusive, with a single luxurious resort, the
Balinese Great House, situated on the highest
point and overlooking the coral reef-studded
waters of the Caribbean. The island supports dense
tropical vegetation, composed of both native and
non-native plants and enhanced by irrigation. The
other half of the island is more typical of the
region, with rocky terrain and small clusters of
hardy trees, low shrubs, and dense stands of cacti.
Designated a bird sanctuary, Necker is home to
pelicans, doves, and hummingbirds.

In 1994, Richard Branson, owner of Necker
Island (30 ha), expressed an interest in establish-
ing a third population of Stout Iguanas. Because
the iguanas on Guana had enhanced the natural
setting of the island and were well received by vis-
itors, Branson was eager to expand the conserva-
tion effort. Lazell had worked previously on
Necker and knew the island to be free of feral live-
stock and rats.

43IGUANAJune 2003

Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) in holding pens
shortly after their arrival on Anegada. Photograph by Numi
Mitchell.

Necker Island, BVI: high atop the island is the Balinese Great
House.



In October 1995, four hatchlings were taken
to Necker and head-started for a year before being
released. During that time, one female escaped,
but was seen later and appeared to be gravid. In
2000, Lazell reported seeing the first hatchling
and subsequent reports from the island indicated
that Stout Iguana hatchlings were abundant.
Although the population is still in its infancy, dur-
ing the October 2002 population on Necker,
founding stock, young adults, and hatchlings were
recorded.

Today
Long after these second and third populations

were established, their existence is not commonly
acknowledged, little pertinent information is avail-
able, and some controversy remains regarding the

circumstances under which they were established.
In 2002, I was invited to participate in an assess-
ment of the Guana and Necker populations. That
survey, directed by Lazell and Mitchell, was con-
ducted during “Scientists Month” from 4–29
October (each year, Guana hosts a large contin-
gent of scientists who conduct research on the
island).

After 14 hours of travel and delays, Guana was
a little piece of paradise. At the dock, my gear was
loaded into the Club’s pickup and we proceeded
up the steep, twisting road to the clubhouse. The
Club overlooks the dense tropical vegetation of
the island’s southern end, the salt pond — home
to the six flamingos, and the white beach of a lit-
tle cove that merges imperceptibly with the crys-
talline waters of the Caribbean.

When I arrived at the patio, which overlooks
the equally picturesque northern end of the island,
it was alive with more scientific dialog than I could
begin to imagine — scientists, some 20 of them, at
lunch. After brief introductions, focus quickly
returned to the population survey that was already
in progress.

That same afternoon, we were issued several 
2-oz syringe barrels loaded with white latex paint
and began a survey of the Club’s wooded perime-
ter and nearby support structures. Many Stout
Iguanas, including the founders, live in close prox-
imity to the Club. The weather was cloudy and
damp from the morning’s rain, which kept iguanas
from venturing far to bask or forage.

44 IGUANA Volume 10, Number 2

A Stout  Iguana hatchling on Necker Island basking on the
light sand walkway that leads to the beach. Small tail drags
were numerous along these walkways.

A southerly view of Guana Island from the Club. The salt
pond with the six flamingos is located in the lower left and
the beach and docking area in the center.

Dr. James Lazell on Guana Island, 2002.



The first sighting was somewhat unusual. We
came upon four workmen digging a ditch next to
a small structure while talking loudly to be heard
over the radio playing in the background. Above
them on a rock ledge, a large iguana lay casually, as
if supervising their work. We marked the animal
with paint, which did not appear to disturb it, and
it remained nearby, seemingly unaffected by the
intrusion. The remainder of the day included
marking or sightings of younger adults and juve-
niles, but the weather was clearly hampering our
efforts. The founding iguanas and other older
adults were nowhere to be found.

The next day, Mitchell and I explored the area
west of the main facility, accessed from the
“Iguana Trail,” while another team surveyed the
southern area. The weather had improved, but
remained partly cloudy and cool compared to typ-

45IGUANAJune 2003

A hatchling Stout Iguana on Guana Island seeks refuge
among the branches of a bush, reducing the likelihood of
falling prey to a Racer, but increasing the chances of being
spotted by a Kestrel.

Guana Island’s North Trail was created to minimize impact
on the habitat, yet it provides hikers with fabulous views of
the surrounding natural features. About 300 m beyond this
point, an adult Stout Iguana was sighted thundering off
into a cactus thicket.

Iguana Trail: a path originating at the lower Guana Club
level and leading leisurely to the salt pond and beach below.

This subadult Stout Iguana was foraging casually along the
hillside near the Iguana Trail and allowed us to approach
within 3 m. This animal was marked after the photograph
was taken.



ical conditions. Our first marking was a subadult
on a steep wooded slope not 50 m from the trail’s
entry point. Like our first iguana on the previous
afternoon, it was rather nonchalant about our
presence.

That afternoon, we focused our attention on
the northern section of the island where iguanas
were not known to occur. Tail-drags are common
on trails in the area south of North Beach, but
they abruptly disappear to the north of a line
roughly parallel with Crab Cove. The trail eventu-
ally splits into two routes, and Mitchell and I sep-
arated to cover more ground. About halfway
between Crab Cove and Chicken Rock Steps, I
observed one large, unmarked adult, who, unlike
others we had observed, responded to the intru-
sion by quickly thundering off into a cactus

thicket. We saw no other iguanas or tail-drags, but
did see some scat.

The survey continued and the weather
improved each day, as did the frequency of iguana
sightings. In addition to the population size esti-
mate (see “Assessment” on p. 49), we recorded
three incidents of predation on juvenile Stout
Iguanas, two by Racers (Alsophis portoricensis) and
the other by a female Kestrel (Falco sparverius).

Early on the morning of 14 October, ten of us
left Guana by boat for Necker Island to assess the
third population of Stout Iguanas, only seven years
after the initial four hatchlings were released. The
survey was limited to two days, and the team
members quickly dispersed upon arrival.

Mitchell and I began our survey at a location
near the main facilities where iguanas are fed twice
a day. The ground and trails showed many signs of
tail-drags clearly produced by individuals of vastly
different sizes. We saw several iguanas in the thick
shrubs around this area. From there, I worked the
very dry northern section of the island and saw

46 IGUANA Volume 10, Number 2

A southerly view from the north side of Necker Island
reveals habitat more typical of the region, with rocky terrain
and small clusters of hardy trees, low shrubs, and dense
stands of cacti.

A southwesterly view of Necker Island showing the Balinese
Great House (upper right) and the retreat quarters in the
pagoda styled structure (foreground). Stout Iguanas were
sighted within this area.



only one drag and one scat. Mitchell sighted a few
animals as she worked an area near where the
iguanas are fed.

Others on the survey team successfully marked
several individuals and recorded sightings of hatch-
lings along the pathways around the maintenance
and support facilities. Two Racers also were
observed in the same area.

The next day, starting where the iguanas are
offered food, we saw two of the founding iguanas.
A conservative estimate placed these animals at
about 47 cm SVL and well over 5 kg. Both
appeared in excellent health, alert, and with col-
oration of rich brown above blending into
turquoise flanks. We spent our remaining time
around the nursery and beach facilities and saw
several iguanas, including a subadult and hatch-
lings. As on Guana, the Necker iguanas appeared
to concentrate near the developed areas.

In stark contrast to the boisterous excitement
that characterized the boat ride to Necker, we qui-
etly sought a comfortable spot for the return trip.
Although tired from the day’s hard work in blaz-

ing sun, we had time to reflect on events that had
led us to this point in time and space.

The absence of committed, long-term funding
continues to impede efforts to secure the species’
survival on Anegada. Compounding loss of habi-
tat is ongoing development. Consequently, Stout
Iguanas are fighting for survival, suffering simulta-
neously from habitat degradation and predation
on juveniles. Some fear that the upcoming assess-
ment will determine that the Anegada population
has declined to critically low numbers and may be
functionally extinct in the wild. However, I believe
we all shared a warm feeling knowing that the out-
look for Stout Iguanas had improved considerably
through the efforts of a few very special people.

47IGUANAJune 2003

Racers on Necker Island commonly feed on juvenile Stout
Iguanas.

One of the four founding Stout Iguanas on Necker Island
(shown near the feeding area) was hiding behind a clump
of debris, straining to see if his morning serving had arrived.

This lightly wooded area near a salt pond on Anegada
shows vegetation heavily damaged by feral animals seeking
shelter from the sun or areas to rest. Habitat such as this
has no chance of recovery while feral animals are allowed
to roam free.



Acknowledgements
I thank James Lazell and Numi Mitchell for

the invitation to participate in the Guana and
Necker island population assessments, and Henry
and Gloria Jarecki and Richard Branson for their
hospitality and enduring commitment to ensuring
the survival of Stout Iguanas. Allison Alberts, Rick
Hudson, and Glenn Gerber have been instrumen-
tal in all my conservation efforts, and my wife
Sandy has her sleeves rolled up right beside me.
This article has benefited from comments by Gad
Perry and Robert Powell. 

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48 IGUANA Volume 10, Number 2


