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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 29

Allen’s Cays Iguanas, Cyclura cychlura inornata:
Summary Report for 2003

Field work this year was confined to a single trip (14–21
May 2003), during which we captured 214 iguanas on

Leaf Cay (95% of them recaptures!) and 102 on U Cay (93%
recaptures). We have made 4543 captures over the 24 years of
this study. Leaf Cay probably supports at least 600 iguanas,
and U Cay perhaps 300. The pattern of most captures being
made on the big west beach of Leaf Cay continued, with 58%
being made there (154 of 350 or 44% last year). The profound
attraction of the iguanas to the tourist feeding beach cannot be
denied. A female U Cay iguana (marked there first in 1992,
now 18.7 years old, and last observed nesting on 7 July 2002)
was discovered on the streets of Nassau on 3 May 2003.

We also captured seven iguanas on Allen Cay (57% recap-
tures), including a large male originally marked on Leaf Cay in
1998, and last caught on Leaf Cay last May. We also had cap-
tured a marked male from Leaf Cay on Allen Cay last year.
Excluding the two relocated males on Allen Cay, in the past
three years we have captured a total of five females and six males
there. The population may number between 15 and 20 based
on our subjective walking censuses. In addition, a possible sight-
ing of a juvenile suggests that, although upland sandy areas are
absent, at least one female may have found a suitable nesting
site. Barn Owl predation (and possible iguana predation) on
shearwaters remains a concern.

We also briefly visited Flat Rock Reef Cay, north of Leaf
Cay, and confirmed that at least 15 iguanas are present on this

newly colonized island. Although extremely wary, we observed
juveniles and captured three lizards, including a large male orig-
inally marked on Leaf Cay, and last captured there in March of
1996. Because of the distance and local currents, this animal was
certainly moved there by humans.

Of ten large (>40 cm SVL) males captured last May on the
big west beach of Leaf Cay, we captured only six this May. The
disturbing, ongoing pattern of disappearing large males on Leaf
Cay continues. We suspect that “tourists” may be relocating
large, “aggressive,” nuisance male iguanas from the primary
tourist feeding beach on Leaf Cay to other cays.

Iguanas in the Allen’s Cays clearly are being increasingly dis-
turbed by humans through translocation, overfeeding, and likely
poaching (for the food and/or pet trades). As we recommended
in last year’s report, a desperate need exists for the construction
of an “iguana information kiosk” on both Leaf and U cays. Not
only could this provide general natural history information to
interested tourists, but it could also explain the dangers of harass-
ing, improperly feeding, and relocating the iguanas, as well as
the potential threats presented by feral animals.

We continue to implant PIT tags as time and money per-
mit, and have now PIT-tagged a total of 506 lizards. We had
three PIT tag failures this year (i.e., the tags were palpable under
the skin, but transmitted no signal) and one in which we could
detect no signal but also could not palpate the transponder. We
also noted that a few PIT tags injected in previous years had
migrated ventrally along the body wall from the site of injection.
This mislead us in past years into thinking that the tag was miss-
ing/non-functional in a few individuals, when it was, in fact, still
present. As a result, at least two iguanas now have two pit tags.
In general, the failure rate of PIT tags is quite low, as is the fail-
ure rate of toe clips due to natural toe loss. The combination of
the two methods is optimal for our study populations.

Although we had intended to spend mid-June to mid-July
again this year in the Allen’s Cays monitoring the iguana nest-
ing season for a third year, family health issues prevented that.
However, the results of our two-year nesting study are in press.
We will return in May 2004 for another census, and we are
planning long-term to repeat our nesting study in the summers
of 2008–2010.

John B. Iverson
Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana

2003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

2003 ISG Meeting—Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

ABSTRACTS

Allen’s Cays Iguana (Cyclura cychlura inornata). Photograph by Lynne Pieper.

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The Blue Iguana, Cyclura lewisi, Recovery Programme,
Grand Cayman: Summary of Progress for 2003

Detailed quarterly updates on the Blue Iguana Recovery
Programme have been circulated by email to ISG mem-

bers and the wider public, with back numbers available on
request (email: fjburton@candw.ky). This document is a sum-
mary of the period from December 2002 to November 2003.

Protected habitat.—With the imminent release of approxi-
mately 25 subadult C. lewisi hatched in 2001 into the QE II
Botanic Park, that 65-acre property would be supporting its max-
imum carrying capacity. This means subsequent releases should
be directed at restocking or reintroducing animals into a new area.

Discussions have been held with the Cayman Islands
Government, which in 2003 acquired a 295-acre land holding in
East End Interior, within the recent historic range of C. lewisi. The
land, which is a working farm with areas of uncultivated shrub-
land and some wetland forest, was purchased as an extension to
the local prison’s farm, and as the site of a future wilderness reha-
bilitation center for minor offenders and low risk long-term pris-
oners. The Ministry responsible for the prison service has reacted
positively to the suggestion that the land could also serve as a site
to support a second wild, managed population of Blue Iguanas,
involving the prison inmates in associated conservation work.

Realization of this possibility will depend mainly on access-
ing the substantial funds that will be needed to effectively protect
this site from roaming dogs and feral cats, both of which are abun-
dant in this area. An extensive predator exclusion fence will be
required, followed by an intensive cat and dog eradication effort.

Programme staffing.—Funds from IIF and a local corporate
source allowed the program to hire its only paid staff member,
Ms. Desiree Ebanks, in January 2003. Ms. Ebanks has been
working 4 h/day, 6 days/week caring for the rapidly expanding
captive population. As a result, for the first time in many years,
we are able to feed the captives a diet dominated by wild food,
collected daily from sites around the island.

With the dramatic increase in the captive population in 2003,
Ms. Ebanks’ working hours must be increased, with correspond-
ing demands on project funding. F. Burton has continued to direct
the programme on a full-time voluntary basis throughout the year.
Craig Pelke, area supervisor at the Milwaukee County Zoo, visited
Grand Cayman for two weeks under a funding scheme from his
zoo to assist in the field with the Blue Iguana Recovery Program.

Overseas, voluntary and professional support has continued to flow
from many individuals in the ISG and IIF networks.

Volunteer assistance has surged, ranging from weekend
work parties painting new breeding pens through service club
assistance to major corporate participation. Prison labor also has
been used extensively.

Captive breeding and head-starting.—A total of 86 C. lewisi
were successfully hatched from incubated eggs on Grand
Cayman in 2003. Of these, 32 are captive-bred; the remainder
was hatched from eggs laid by the released, managed population
living in the QE II Botanic Park. The latter were collected for
head-starting. Survival is almost 100%.

The resurgence in captive breeding success was attributed to
improved diet (see above) and improved space. Two new founders
bred well, providing important genetic stock, some of which is des-
tined for breeding loans to US facilities. The large boost in numbers
from QEIIBP wild nests reflects increased nesting surveillance, and
the increased output from the Park’s growing females. The age pro-
file of the released population is still very young (max. 8 years old),
so the output from this population is expected to continue to climb.

The breeding facilities expanded by four large breeding
pens (36 x 48 ft), into which the large adult breeders were
moved (one pair per pen) in March. The iguanas’ physical con-
dition improved visibly after the move and pairs that did not
breed last year, resumed breeding. However, two key males (Hal
and Billy) remained infertile, the former only beginning to
recover from severe chronic malnutrition during a period of ille-
gal captivity, the latter possibly lacking the stimulation of seeing
other males during the breeding season.

A second phase of expansion of the breeding facilities com-
menced in July, with construction of more hatchling cages, site
preparation for small adult breeding and holding pens, and a con-
tained area for hatchling and second year cages. When this work
is complete, the facility will be able to manage 100 new hatchlings
per year (which will be head-started for two years before release)
and sufficient adult holding space for current and projected needs.

Two new potential founders were captured from the wild
in 2003, both young animals (one hatched in 2002 and one in
2003) were found in situations where continued survival in the
wild was unlikely.

Stephanie James (Wildlife Conservation Society) visited
during the year to health-screen animals destined for release as
well as selected adults. Preliminary results confirm that the
releases are safe to go, and the health of the captive population
is generally excellent.

Education and awareness.—“Blue Dragon,” a joint pro-
gramme of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands and the
Cayman Islands National Gallery, has been active throughout the
year. This is an art-based project designed to attract interest from
the entire local community. Sixteen giant fiberglass sculptures of
the Blue Iguana were commissioned from a studio in the USA,
delivered unpainted, and offered to selected local artists as a
medium for expressive art. A wide range of interpretations is
appearing, varying from realism to the abstract. Each iguana, once
painted, will be permanently placed in a public area, with a sign
providing core facts about the Blue Iguana and information about
the artists and their inspiration. The project also involves school

30 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 2003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi). Photograph by Fred Burton.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 312003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

activities and a new “Blue Dragon” poster designed for young
teenagers. The sculptures are expected to last at least 10–20 years.

Building on the surge of awareness about the Blue Iguana,
a longer-term approach is also underway. An education module
for the local National Schools Curriculum, centered on the Blue
Iguana, is under development. Local education specialist, Juliet
Austin, is under contract to deliver modules through 2003–4.

A short film, designed mainly for school use in association with
the curriculum modules, was filmed gratis by Dorothea Schwab
(Wild Wings Vision, Cologne, Germany). Postproduction awaits
funding for studio rental, professional editing, and sound work.

The programme has remained high profile in local news
media, and a quarterly email newsletter “Blue Iguana Tales” has
been launched. The project web site (www.BlueIguana.ky) con-
tinues to see incremental enhancements, thanks in large part to
John and Sandy Binns.

Funding.—The phase 1 expansion of the captive breeding facil-
ity was paid for with grants from the Disney Wildlife Conservation
Fund, Maples Finance (Cayman), Tulsa Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo,
IRCF, and IIS, with assistance from Fort Worth Zoo.

A grant from IIF has been directed to generating sustain-
able financing, with retail products and a sponsorship program.
Sale of mouse pads (designed and produced in collaboration
with John and Sandy Binns) has yielded approx. $5,000 to date,
and a “sponsor an iguana” programme was launched in October.

Funds from the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund are
covering the school curriculum work in part. A grant also has
been secured from AZA/Conservation Endowment Fund to pay
for materials needed in the phase 2 expansion of the captive
breeding facility. A small grant from the St. Louis Herpetological
Society is paying for creation of nest mounds for the released
iguanas in the QEIIBP.

Research.—Work on the taxonomic status of the Blue
Iguana has progressed: Fred Burton, assisted by Karen Graham
and Trey Harrison, photographed reference specimens at the
University of Kansas Natural History Museum for scale analysis,
and additional images were provided by the San Diego Zoo. Fred
has since submitted a paper, “Taxonomic status of the Grand
Cayman Blue Iguana,” to the Caribbean Journal of Science,
which is now accepted subject to final revisions. The paper ele-
vates the Blue Iguana to full species status, as Cyclura lewisi.

Rachel Goodman, University of Tennessee, is currently
writing the results of her fieldwork on Grand Cayman, and will
be publishing a series of papers on the released C. lewisi popula-
tion in the QEIIBP. An additional paper (Burton, Goodman, &
Gould), covering the diet of wild C. lewisi in various environ-
ments, is in preparation.

Institutional.—The National Trust for the Cayman Islands
and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust recently signed a
memorandum of understanding that formally involves DWCT
in the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme. This is a general
framework agreement, with details of joint project activities yet
to be determined.

The programme continues to operate under the auspices of
the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, with a wide range of
local and international partners.

Frederic J. Burton, Director
Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, Grand Cayman

Jamaican Iguana Field Research and Recovery Project:
2003 Summary

Forest Use.—Charcoal burning along the trail used by the
iguana field team has greatly diminished. However, burners

are encroaching deep into the forest along other trails. Also, har-
vesting of sticks in coastal areas remains a problem and has cre-
ated a security risk for conservation activities in the south.

Nesting Season.—A total of 12 females showing indications
of nesting were observed at the known nesting sites. Excavation
and closing of the nest was confirmed in seven females. Nesting
activities lasted from 1–20 June, and peaked 8–11 June. Eight
of the 12 females could be individually identified by PIT tags
and/or beads. Two of these females were repatriated headstarters,
including one that was observed nesting for the first time. From
2000–2003, a total of 15 tagged females nested at the known
sites; six of these females were repatriated headstarters. Blood of
five animals (four nesting females and a male) was collected dur-
ing the nesting season for analysis.

Hatching.—Hatchlings emerged from 25 August to 14
September and were intercepted by fences around the nesting
sites. Nine batches of hatchlings could be distinguished, proba-
bly representing different clutches. Overall, 71 hatchlings were
recorded, of which 68 (sex ratio 31:37) were equipped with PIT
tags; 24 hatchlings were taken to the Hope Zoo.

Repatriations.—Nine headstarted animals were repatriated on
28 September, increasing the total number of repatriations to 57.
An additional 8–9 iguanas will be released later in the year.
Maximum confirmed period of survival in the field after repatria-
tion was extended by 1–2 years for four previously released iguanas.

Predator Control.—The system of 40 live traps continued
to operate and produced similar results as in previous years, cap-
turing mongooses, cats, and rats. Experiments using “artificial
nests” (chicken eggs) to assess the effectiveness of the predator
control measures were expanded.

Pitfall trap survey.—The annual pitfall trap survey was con-
ducted from 23 January to 22 April. It monitors possible positive
population responses of rare species, particularly among the ground-
dwelling herpetofauna, to the reduced density of mongooses.

Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA).—Jamaica’s conserva-
tion authority (NEPA) has assigned major management respon-
sibilities to an environmental NGO (CCAM) for parts of the
PBPA — but excluding the Hellshire Hills and Goat Islands.
Although CCAM has some non-management functions for

Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei). Photograph by John Binns.



these latter areas as well, actual management will be up to the
landowner, the Urban Development Company (UDC). It
remains to be seen how UDC and CCAM will split responsi-
bilities for the areas that are most important to the iguanas.
Cooperation between the two organizations has failed so far.
Work on the establishment of a satellite population of iguanas
on Great Goat Island will have to await the clarification of these
management issues.

Peter Vogel
Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica

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Territorial and Reproductive Behavior of the 

Mona Rock Iguana, Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri

In March 2003, the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), in collab-
oration with the Department of Natural and Environmental

Resources (DNER), initiated a three-year project on the Mona
Island Iguana, Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri. Our final goal is to gather
information about the biology of the Mona Island Iguana to create
a model establishing the actual status of the population, and to pro-
vide the conceptual framework for conservation efforts of this
species. Specifically we want: (1) to understand the pattern of habi-
tat use and territoriality, (2) to determine the mating system and
variance in reproductive success, and (3) to quantify the survival and
recruitment of young iguanas into the adult breeding population.

We are using radio telemetry of males, females, and imma-
ture individuals, mark-recapture, geographical information sys-
tems, and paternity analysis. To date, we have captured 40 ani-
mals of all sizes that were measured, photographed, and marked
(i.e., pit-tags, colored beads, dorsal scale removal). Tissue sam-
ples also were taken from each iguana.

Five marked animals were headstarted iguanas that were
released into the wild more than a year ago. In addition, four-
teen of the captured iguanas have been radio-marked, produc-
ing information about home range and habitat use before, dur-
ing, and after the nesting season.

During the hatching season, we collected and processed the
offspring of ten radio-marked females for paternity analyses.
Some of these hatchlings are kept in captivity in the headstart-
ing facilities and others were released into the wild.

For the next year, we plan to include two new areas for doc-
umenting habitat use and territoriality of radio-marked iguanas
in different environmental conditions (e.g., vegetation structure,
availability of crevices) through seasons. In addition, we plan to
start radio-marking mid-sized iguanas and conduct extensive
capture-recapture sessions in the selected areas.

Nestor Pérez and Owen McMillan
University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras

Alberto O. Alvarez and Miguel A. Garcia
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, San Juan

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2003 Research Update for Exuma 

(Cyclura cychlura figginsi) and 
Andros (C. c. cychlura) Islands, Bahamas

Research in the Exuma Islands, Bahamas focused primarily
on surveying the translocated iguana (Cyclura cychlura fig-

ginsi) population on Pasture Cay in the Exuma Cays Land and
Sea Park and the natural populations on Bitter Guana and
Gaulin Cays.

In February 1992, 16 Exuma Island iguanas were translo-
cated from Leaf Cay (NW of Lee Stocking Island) to Pasture
Cay, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. During the 2003 field sea-
son, our primary objective was to initiate a live-trap rat study,
check the status of the translocated iguanas, and search for evi-
dence of first year iguana recruitment.

A total of 137 trap nights was recorded on 26–27 May.
Eleven rats (including one recapture) were registered, marked by
toe clipping, and released. Thirteen iguanas were captured,
including one first-year hatchling. The recaptured adult iguanas
all appeared healthy. Finding a healthy first-year hatchling was
encouraging, and supports my supposition that rats do not pose
a significant threat to iguana populations. More data obviously
are needed to substantiate this hypothesis and the study will be
expanded in future years.

Unfortunately, two large male iguanas died after transloca-
tion. On 24 December 2003, iguana #11 was discovered washed
up on a Compass Cay beach. The carcass was recovered by vol-
unteers from the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and turned
over to me. The other iguana (#12) was last seen by Park vol-
unteers in March 2003 and discovered dead on 25 April 2003.
The carcass was left on the main southwest beach, but was not
recovered by my team.

Objectives for the 2003 Andros field season included: (1)
estimating population density, (2) determining home range and
habitat preferences for adults, (3) investigating reproductive ecol-
ogy, (4) determining dispersal distances, habitat preference, and
survival of hatchlings, (5) performing ethnographic interviews
with local Bahamians concerning historic and contemporary
iguana exploitation, and (6) distributing tourist surveys relating
to perceptions of iguanas and willingness to pay national park
entrance fees. Lack of space precludes covering all objectives here
so the focus of this report will be reproductive ecology and
hatchling survival.

32 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 2003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

Mona Island Iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri). Photograph by Robert Powell.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 332003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

The reproductive ecology portion of the research was
extremely successful. The Andros Iguana is the only iguana doc-
umented to nest in termite mounds, but I had only mild success
finding nests in 2001 (N = 1) and 2002 (N = 3). However, 18
nests were discovered in 2003. Clutch size ranged from 3–19
eggs and SVL of ovipositing females ranged from 34.0–44.6 cm.
A number of termite mound parameters (height and circumfer-
ence, % vegetation cover, distance to < 50% canopy coverage,
and average skirt depth) were recorded for used and unused
mounds. Significant differences were evident only in mound
height and average skirt depth. Temperature data loggers also
were placed in and above five used mounds to record internal
nest and surrounding ambient temperatures. Temperatures
inside mounds were significantly higher and more constant than
in the ambient environment.

Radio transmitters were attached to 41 hatchlings from
seven nests in five locations and they were subsequently tracked
for up to eight weeks. Hatchlings remained alive for an average
of eight days, and only two hatchlings remained alive at the end
of the study. One hatchling was presumed taken by a bird,
another by a fish, and the remainder by snakes. We will return
in 2004 to track additional hatchlings, but these results suggest
that snake predation is significant on Andros and possibly
throughout the West Indies.

Charles Knapp
Conservation Department, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois and

Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville

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Anegada Iguana, Cyclura pinguis:

2003 Update on Field Research and Release Project

In July 2003, the remaining wild population of C. pinguis was
surveyed by an eight-member team of volunteers. Due to time

constraints, the survey was confined to the western half of the
island, which is believed to support the majority of the existing
population. Over 50 km of line transects were walked, during
which all sightings of animals, retreats, tracks, and feces were
recorded. Nearly all of the sightings were confined to the known
core iguana area on the northwestern coast of the island, and the

boundaries of this area were more precisely delineated than ever
before. All iguana sightings were of adult animals, indicating that
the population’s age structure is still heavily skewed. Iguana
sightings were very few, making reliable estimates of population
density or size difficult (but in progress). Nevertheless, based on
previous fieldwork, the population apparently has declined fur-
ther in recent years.

In an effort to offset this decline, 24 headstarted iguanas,
believed to be large enough to survive in the wild with cats, were
released in early October. This event was the first release to take
place since the headstart project began in 1997. In April 2003,
veterinary staff from the Fort Worth Zoo conducted a thorough
health screening of all the potential candidates for release. The
veterinary staff returned to surgically implant temperature-sen-
sitive radio transmitters in the animals selected for release dur-
ing the last week of September. Released iguanas had an even sex
ratio and were equally divided between two size classes, averag-
ing 1,005 g and 1,345 g, respectively (total range: 800–2000 g).

Twelve of the animals (six from each size class and sex) were
released in the sandy scrub of eastern Bones Bight, whereas the
other twelve were released in the interior rocky woodland of
Middle Cay. Both release sites are within the core area and con-
tain some of the best habitat remaining on Anegada. Animal
locations were recorded daily by direct observation for the first
24 days after the initial release.

During this period, focal-animal observations on several
individuals each day examined the behavior of the iguanas, with
particular attention to foraging and intraspecific interactions. In
addition, a remote data-logging telemetry station was used to
continuously record body temperatures of the released animals
to determine thermoregulatory patterns. To date, one loss has
been experienced. The animal was found dead shortly after
release; its surgical incision had reopened. All other animals are
doing well. Additional monitoring of the released animals will
take place during fieldtrips in November/December, January,
March, May, and July. The released animals will be captured
periodically to assess growth and general health.

Glenn Gerber
Zoological Society of San Diego CRES, San Diego, California

Kelly Bradley
Department of Herpetology, Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas

Anegada Iguana (Cyclura pinguis). Photograph by John Binns.Exuma Islands Iguana (Cyclura cychlura figginsi). Photograph by John Binns.



Public attitudes and perceptions regarding 
conservation of the Anegada Iguana, Cyclura pinguis:

The use and role of social surveys in conservation

The public can have a major influence on the success of
conservation programs, therefore, understanding and

adequately addressing any concerns they might have is
important. Understanding public attitudes and perceptions
about conservation strategies is an important first step toward
this end.

In an effort to develop educational programs that will
increase public support for strategies to conserve the Anegada
Iguana (Cyclura pinguis), I carried out a survey of local atti-
tudes and perceptions in July 2003. I interviewed 36 residents
of Anegada, British Virgin Islands (representing approximately
30% of the population) using a semi-structured format.
Respondents were asked whether they supported or did not
support four different conservation strategies: headstarting, cat
eradication, national park implementation, and translocation.
Respondents also were asked questions to assess their aware-
ness regarding threats to and conservation strategies for the
iguanas.

The respondents highly supported three conservation mea-
sures: headstarting, cat eradication, and national park imple-
mentation. They were less supportive of translocation. In terms
of awareness, respondents were generally aware of the threat that
cats pose to the iguanas and the role that the headstart facility
plays in counteracting this threat.

This information is extremely useful for the implementa-
tion of conservation strategies. The non-structured interview
format was essential for obtaining other information about the
community: perceptions, questions, and concerns that are addi-
tionally important. Collecting information on public attitudes
raises the question of when and how public input should be
used to guide management decisions.

Lee E. Pagni
Conservation Education Consultant for the Zoological Society of San Diego

Ricord’s Iguana, Cyclura ricordii:
Isla Cabritos Population Census 2003

In 2003, three teams of people from the Indianapolis Zoo,
ZooDom, and the Fort Worth Zoo conducted iguana popu-

lation surveys on Isla Cabritos, Dominican Republic. The work
was funded primarily by the Indianapolis Zoo, with support
from ZooDom, the Miami Metro Zoo, and the Cleveland
Metroparks Zoo. On the first trip in April (which corresponded
loosely with the breeding season), we used GPS units to set 20
transects that ran the width of the island every 500 m to the east
of the main trail. We also collected our first set of data, record-
ing all iguana sightings (Ricord’s and Cyclura cornuta), as well as
iguana sign such as dens, scat, etc. We also recorded sightings of
cats, donkeys, horses, and cows. The island currently is con-
nected to the mainland with a wide land bridge, and hoofed
stock is much more numerous, especially on the west end of the
island. We were pleased to find Ricord’s Iguanas in fairly good
numbers at several sites. In fact, they seemed to be more numer-
ous than C. cornuta in the center of the island. In June, which
we hoped would correspond with the nesting season, another
group set four more transects, and walked each of the 24 col-
lecting data. Several nests were marked during this trip, but the
rangers believed that the animals had nested early this year due
to early rains. In September, the last group walked all of the tran-
sects, and observed hatchling Ricord’s Iguanas in two areas. The
data are in the process of being formally analyzed and a more
detailed report will follow. Many thanks to all the teams who
suffered heat exhaustion, dehydration, scorpions in tents, geckos
in the outhouse, and pony stampedes at night to collect these
data!

Other Cyclura ricordii news:
• Four hatchlings at ZooDom are doing well. You might

remember that seven hatched during the ISG meeting last
year; two died right away and one was accidentally crushed
in the exhibit. Animal information has been passed to
Tandora Grant for the studbook. No eggs were laid this
year. 1.3 animals are currently on exhibit.

34 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 2003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

Ricord’s Iguana (Cyclura ricordii). Photograph by Robert Powell.

Lee Pagni interviews an Anegadian about attitudes regarding iguana
conservation. Photograph by Clinton “Lee” Vanterpool.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 352003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

• Grupo Jaragua and the Indianapolis Zoo submitted a grant
proposal to the Pittsburgh Zoo to support a socioeconomic
study of why people are hunting iguanas in the Pedernales
area. This is based on the preliminary survey work done by
Ernst Rupp in this area.

• Indianapolis Zoo, ZooDom, and Grupo Jaragua submitted
a major grant proposal to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
to support teacher and community education programs in
Santo Domingo and towns bordering iguana habitat.

• A meeting date in 2004 needs to be set to discuss survey
findings and determine next steps for a recovery plan based
on these data.

Jan Ramer, DVM
Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, Indiana

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The Technical Consulting Subcommittee 

for the Conservation, Management, and Sustained
Exploitation of Iguanas in México

The Technical Consulting Subcommittee for the
Conservation, Management, and Sustained Exploitation of

Iguanas in México (STC-Iguanas) is part of the National
Program for the Recovery of Priority Species, which was created
to promote working groups to develop conservation programs
for selected species in México. So far, it joins 23 subcommittees,
among which the marine turtle and crocodile working groups
have been active for a long time. STC-Iguanas was constituted
on 16 May 2002 in Villahermosa, Tabasco, as the result of five
National Workshops on Captive Management of Iguanas.

The Subcommittee now has 46 active members, including
researchers in biology, ecology, veterinary medicine, and elec-
tronics, as well as private and communal producers of meat and
pets, and a governmental counterpart. It is divided into six
regional working groups (North Pacific, West, South Pacific,
Center, Gulf, and Yucatan Peninsula) and four by specialty
(research, education, diffusion, and training; exploitation,
inspection, survey, and legislation; and finance).

Our main objective is to function as consultants for any
activity related to the conservation and production of iguanas, to
produce a document to regulate the protection and use of iguanas
within UMAs (Management Units of Wildlife), the unique legal
entity that regulates wildlife species for trade. Also, we promote
discussion on problematic issues related to the conservation and
management of these species among our members and create
environmental education programs directed to rural communi-
ties associated with conservation and production programs.

Current activities include: (1) the organization of the VI
National Workshop on Iguanas, including a full course on cap-
tive management; (2) the production of the first draft of the
National Program for the Protection, Conservation, Research,
and Management of Mexican Iguanas; (3) creation of a web site
that will be linked to main pages addressing the conservation of
iguanas; (4) creation of a literature data base about Mexican
iguanas; and (5) promotion of a handbook for the captive man-
agement of iguanas.

The long-term goal of the STC-Iguanas is to generate man-
agement and conservation strategies for all species of iguanines.
However, at this moment, we are focused primarily on what
appear to be the most threatened species: the Green Iguana
(Iguana iguana), the Black Iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata), the
Tilcampo (Ctenosaura acanthura), and the Banded Iguana
(Ctenosaura similis). Action has focused on providing alternative
exploitation techniques to poor rural communities in Mexico in
order to stop the massive hunting of these species, and to diver-
sify iguana usage to increase people’s income. Captive manage-
ment has been considered one of the best options to combine
traditional use of the resource with conservation; however, sus-
tained exploitation of wild populations is now being explored.

Víctor Hugo Reynoso
STC-Iguanas, México; Instituto de Biología, UNAM, México, D.F.

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The Pacific Banded Iguana: 

What We Know About Its Conservation Status

Although the Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) is the
more familiar of the two species of Brachylophus found in

the South Pacific, its status in the wild is virtually unknown.
Based on published and verbal distribution records, the species
is known to occur on 34 islands in Fiji. In addition, it is found
on four islands in Tonga and an introduced population is estab-
lished on Efate Island in Vanuatu.

Today, Banded Iguanas have been virtually extirpated on the
large Fijian islands where mongooses have been introduced, but
they still are occasionally encountered on many other islands.
Regular reports of Banded Iguana sightings from large and heav-
ily forested islands like Kadavu and Ovalau still occur, as well as
from some small, inhabited islands where cats are common and
forest remnants are few. A boy with a pet Banded Iguana can be
found in many villages, and Fijians still occasionally find them
on forest paths, when they are clearing bush for new gardens, or
when high in an Ivi or Bau tree picking ripe, edible fruit.

San Pedro Nolasco Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura nolascensis).
Photograph by John Binns.



In September 2002, National Trust Crested Iguana
Sanctuary ranger, Pita Biciloa, and I traveled to the large inhab-
ited island of Lakeba, 300 km east of Fiji’s capital, Suva. Our
aim was to undertake the first systematic survey for Banded
Iguanas. We had been told that Banded Iguanas were common
on both of the Aiwa islands: Aiwa Levu and Aiwa Lailai. These
are small, uninhabited limestone islands (total size: 121 ha), sep-
arated by 50 m of deep water, that lie about 12 km southeast of
Lakeba. Both Aiwa Islands have been heavily grazed by goats for
three or four decades and, although the tall forest appeared
mature and diverse, the forest floor was completely open with
only an occasional sign of undergrowth or forest regeneration.
In three nights on Aiwa Lailai, we counted over 200 Banded
Iguanas along our 2 km of transect lines.

Although these lizards are not as abundant as Crested
Iguanas are in optimal forest habitat on the Crested Iguana
Sanctuary island of Yadua Taba, Aiwa Lailai appears to support
a very healthy population of Banded Iguanas. If Aiwa Levu has a
similar number of Banded Iguanas per hectare (which seems pos-
sible, based on the similarity in vegetation and goat grazing pres-
sure), then these two small islands may have a total population
of 6000–8000 iguanas. Small, remote, and virtually inaccessible
islands are abundant around Fiji. Their remoteness may be their
greatest asset, and hopefully will continue to keep feral animals,
invasive plants, and destructive agricultural practices away.

Peter S. Harlow
Herpetofauna Division, Taronga Zoo, Mosman, NSW, Australia

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The Fijian Crested Iguana: 
Lost in the South Pacific? 

Described in 1981, the Fijian Crested Iguana (Brachylophus
vitiensis) has been recorded on fewer than ten dry, rain-

shadow islands in western Fiji. Using line transect surveys, we
estimated the iguana population on the small Crested Iguana
Sanctuary island of Yadua Taba (70 ha) at almost 200/ha in
beach forest habitat; an average of one iguana per 5 m of transect
and an estimated total population for this small islands of more
than 6000. Additional surveys of 12 uninhabited and five inhab-

ited islands in the Yasawa and Mamanuca island groups in west-
ern Fiji in September 2000 revealed very different results. All of
these islands have free-ranging goats and forest fires have occurred
repeatedly on most of them over the last few decades. Iguana sur-
vey transects were purposely placed through areas within beach
forest remnants that had the maximum number and diversity of
iguana food tree species. Night searches for sleeping iguanas along
a total of 11.2 km of beach forest transects were thus biased
towards maximizing our chances of locating this species, and
were not designed to estimate average abundance. Groups of 2–5
team members intensively searched the forest along each transect,
and collectively searched a total of 44 km over 123 h.

Results suggest that Crested Iguanas are extremely rare or
extinct on all of these islands. We found iguanas on only four of
17 islands surveyed: three small, uninhabited islands and a single
large inhabited island. A total of six live iguanas were seen on
these four islands, plus one dead juvenile iguana was found. It
had been killed and partly eaten, presumably by a cat. Feral cats
occur on all inhabited islands, were seen on one uninhabited
island, and probably exist on most of the other uninhabited
islands we surveyed. On all of these islands, Crested Iguana abun-
dance in optimal forest habitat was < 1 iguana per hectare. As
Crested Iguanas are not hunted, eaten, or traded, their rarity on
all islands except Yadua Taba appears to be due to the combina-
tion of habitat loss and degradation due to forest clearing, burn-
ing, and intensive goat grazing, and the introduction of invasive
plant species and exotic predators such as cats and rodents.

Peter S. Harlow
Herpetofauna Division, Taronga Zoo, Mosman, NSW, Australia

36 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 2003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

Fijian Crested Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis). Photograph by Peter Harlow.

Fijian Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus). Photograph by John Kinkaid.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 372003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

Turks and Caicos Iguana, Cyclura carinata carinata:
2003 Project Update

In January 2003, we conducted our last planned translocation
of iguanas in the Turks and Caicos. Sixty adult iguanas (30

males, 30 females) were moved from Big Ambergris Cay to Six
Hills Cay East, a 4-ha island located approximately 10 km north
of Big Ambergris. With this move, we have founded a total of
four new populations and moved 218 adult animals: 76 from
Little Water Cay, threatened by feral cats, to Middle Cay (n =
18) and Bay Cay (n = 58) in the Five Cays, and 142 from Big
Ambergris Cay, threatened by development, to French Cay (n =
82) and Six Hills Cay East (n = 60).

To assess the success of these new populations, we have
been comparing their biology (survival, growth, reproduction,
diet, and endocrinology) to that of their respective source pop-
ulations. With the help of over 20 volunteers, fieldtrips were
made to all of the translocated and source populations in
January/February, May/June, and August/September 2003.

On each of the translocation cays, we found evidence of
nesting in May/June, and captured and marked newly emerged
hatchlings in August/September. Although we have found no
difference in hatchling size between translocated and source pop-
ulations, yearlings on the translocation cays are averaging 2–4
times the mass of those on the source cays. Translocated adults
also are experiencing increased growth rates relative to adults on
the source cays, although the difference is not as great. We
attribute increased growth rates on the translocation cays to the
relative lack of competition for food and space on these islands,
and predict that growth rates will decrease as these populations
begin to approach carrying capacity. Survival of the translocated
adults and their progeny appears to be very high. To date, only
four of 218 iguanas translocated are known to have died, corre-
sponding to a survival rate of 98% among adults.

Glenn Gerber and Allison Alberts
Zoological Society of San Diego CRES, San Diego, California

Lesser Antillean Iguanas, 
Iguana delicatissima and I. iguana

Apreliminary visit to St. Eustatius in September 2003 sug-
gested that the population there is in much worse condition

than anticipated. In light of threats elsewhere, the “threatened”
Redlist status may no longer be warranted. Bob Powell will be
doing some more extensive work on St. Eustatius in June 2004,
tying to establish the extent of the species’ range on the island,
estimate current numbers, and initiate a program leading to
greater awareness of the iguanas’ plight by Statians. Michel Breuil
and Bob Powell will be revisiting the species’ Redlist status, look-
ing both at the entire species and island-by-island populations.

The September issue of IGUANA included a newsbrief on
Anguilla, in which Karim Hodge reported discovering evidence
that Green Iguanas are breeding in an area near where they
arrived a few years ago, but where they weren’t supposed to be
anymore. The potential threat to I. delicatissima is obvious.

During the summer of 2002 on Grenada, we encountered
so few Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) that we were unable to
generate any meaningful data. Anecdotal information from res-
idents suggests that the animals are common nowhere and are
most likely to be encountered in dry forests near developed areas
where no hunting occurs.

Apparently, hunting has considerably reduced populations
of these lizards in moist upland forests, although some reason-
ably healthy populations may still occur in areas that remain very
difficult to access. Note that, on Grenada, Green Iguanas are
considered game animals and a hunting season exists. This obvi-
ously makes it easier for poachers to ply their trade, especially
since enforcement of existing regulations is lax to non-existent.

Robert Powell
Department of Biology, Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri

Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana Delicatissima). Photograph by Glenn Gerber.

Turks and Caicos Iguana (Cyclura carinata carinata). Photograph by
John Binns.



St. Lucian Iguana Project: 
2003 Summary

Activities for the year included eight principal areas: (1)
Beach searches: Goals were to collect distributional data

across St Lucia using the most efficient search method (nesting
signs), prioritize search efforts (sites) for 2004, and identify
methodological considerations for assessing habitat suitability.
Almost all beaches around St Lucia were searched at least once,
although this effort was insufficient, attributable primarily to
earlier than anticipated onset of nesting and lack of manpower.
(2) Nesting indices: The principal goal was to generate an index
or indices of nesting female iguana numbers from counts of
nesting signs (to be used for future monitoring). Some data for
the main nesting beach will allow a preliminary examination of
the feasibility of calibration (see 3, below); data for the only
other known nesting area, are insufficient. Data are pending
analysis, but are likely to be insufficient to generate a reliable
index, attributable primarily, as in 1 above, to earlier than antic-
ipated onset of nesting and lack of manpower. (3) Hatchling
counts: The primary goal was to obtain a full count of hatchling
numbers (and by extrapolation nesting female numbers), pri-
marily to calibrate the easier-to-collect index of nesting (see 2,
above). A reasonably full count was made (the onset of hatching
was missed, but we can extrapolate back). Also, data on hatch-
ling sex ratios, emergence times, body condition, and health
problems were collected. The onset of hatching was earlier than
anticipated (even taking into account the earlier than anticipated
onset of nesting). I believe all major nests at the main nesting
beach were monitored. We were not able to monitor the other
nesting beach. (4) Hatchling predator counts: The principal
goals were to quantify predator activity at the place and time of
hatchling emergence and to confirm mongoose predation on
hatchlings. I believe all the main predators at the nests are iden-
tified. Stomach contents confirm predation by mongooses. Cats
were identified as a predator in 2003 (but not in 2002).
Quantitative data were collected, but not rigorously.
Standardized counts will require more manpower if attempted
alongside hatchling counts (as in 2003). Greater trapping effort
is warranted next year, including areas away from nest sites (5)
Radiotracking females: The principal goal was to confirm a nest-
ing migration distance of 2–3 km to the main nesting beach. To
date, only one large adult female has been tagged in the zone
2–3 km from the beach, despite two months of effort. The
tagged female initially behaved as expected, moving in a small
home range, but in December began moving toward the nest-
ing beach. Tracking and searches for more females to tag are
continuing, led by the Forestry Department, with GPS location
updates by email. (6) Site management (main nesting beach):
The primary goal is to utilize an agreement with the landowner

to alert local people to, and enforce if necessary, changes in site
management at this beach. Four metal signs have been erected
to advise locals to keep dogs leashed, road access to the nesting
beach is blocked with chain (to hinder sand mining), weekly
patrol routes have been mapped, and an agreement has been
reached with the Forestry Department on patrols. The Forestry
Department will continue to patrol weekly by van, at least
through the vulnerable nesting period (roughly January–May).
They will seek cooperation from the St. Lucia police for accom-
paniment by an armed officer to shoot untied dogs. Well-
attended community-led beach clean up (post hatching) led to
extensive media coverage. This effort was primarily educational
in intent (rubbish leads to rats leads to mongooses). (7)
Ecotourism initiative: The principal goal was to assess the poten-
tial for community-based, small-scale ecotourism within key
communities currently using known iguana sites. A feasibility
study, covering primarily an assessment of the natural resource
base (conducted by the Forestry Department) and a stakeholder
analysis (conducted by Heritage Tourism) is in preparation. This
is essential for developing a funding proposal. Although Heritage
Tourism has yet to conduct their stakeholder analysis workshop,
I hope the funding proposal will be developed/submitted to seek
funds for the financial year starting April 2004. (8) Education
proposal: The principal goal is to develop a community-based
program of curricular activities addressing iguana conservation
in northeastern St. Lucia. A full proposal, with detailed activi-
ties, timeline, and budget, is to be submitted by the Forestry
Department as the St. Lucia lead and (tentatively) by K. Graham
(Sedgwick Co. Zoo) as the overseas contact.

Matthew Morton
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

c/o Forestry Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Castries., St. Lucia

38 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2004 2003 ISG MEETING ABSTRACTS

St. Lucian Iguana (Iguana iguana). Photograph by Matthew Morton.


