Overview of Existing Conservation Measures

All species of West Indian iguanas are protected internationally under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (All rock iguanas on CITES Appendix I; the Lesser Antillean iguana on CITES Appendix II). Although many species also receive some degree of national legislative protection in the countries where they occur, local enforcement of regulations is sporadic. Protected habitat, in the form of national parks, nature reserves, or sanctuaries, exists for approximately half of all West Indian iguanas. However, in many cases, these areas are very small (e.g., Cayman Islands) or represent only a tiny fraction of the species' total range (e.g., Lesser Antilles). Even in countries with fairly extensive reserve systems (Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic), limited resources for protected area maintenance remain a concern.

Table 4. Existing conservation measures for West Indian iguanas.

While at least some form of exotics control is underway for six taxa of West Indian iguanas, these pilot programs are aimed at single species on one or two islands (feral cats on Pine and Water Cays, Turks and Caicos; goats on Booby Cay, Bahamas; sheep on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands; mongooses in the Hellshire Hills, Jamaica; feral cats on Mona Island, Puerto Rico; rats on Low and White Cays, Bahamas). Although complete eradication is the goal for feral cats and rats, other species such as mongooses will require continuous trapping to keep population numbers low in core iguana habitat. Fencing has successfully excluded feral goats and pigs from iguana nest sites, particularly on Mona Island. Because of the variety of threats posed by exotic mammals to most species of West Indian iguanas, control programs will need to be expanded in the future, and implemented on islands where they do not yet exist.

Field research is making a significant contribution to the conservation of many species of West Indian iguanas. Studies ranging from population surveys to ecological and systematic investigations are taking place which should provide the scientific data necessary to begin to develop species conservation plans for many taxa. For others, particularly Bartsch's iguana and the Andros island iguana, such studies are still urgently needed as little is known of their biology.

Natural area supporting iguanas on the east end of Grand Cayman.

The only West Indian iguanas for which full-scale public education programs currently exist are the Turks and Caicos and Grand Cayman iguanas. Each year, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands holds a fair at which several thousand children have the opportunity to learn about iguanas and their habitat requirements. The National Trust for the Turks and Caicos Islands has produced an iguana poster and regularly provides information about iguanas to local schools. The Jamaican iguana conservation program involves education of local forest habitat users, particularly charcoal burners and pig hunters. In the Bahamas, signs informing tourists of the protected status and vulnerability of iguanas have been helpful, particularly on small cays visited by private yachts. The IUCN/SSC West Indian Iguana Specialist Group recently sponsored production of a color poster urging protection of West Indian iguanas for distribution in as many range countries as possible.

Secondary populations have been established for three taxa, the Allen's Cay iguana, the Anegada iguana, and the Acklins iguana. These satellite populations have the potential to serve as reservoirs should primary populations become extinct in the future. Similar programs are planned for the Jamaican iguana, the Exuma Island iguana, and the White Cay iguana, but have yet to be implemented.

Habitat enhancement, although it has the potential to contribute to conservation efforts for all species of West Indian iguanas, has to date only been carried out for two taxa. Clearing of patches of exotic forest has provided new nesting area on Mona Island, and removal of exotic vegetation to prepare a release site for headstarted hatchlings is taking place on Grand Cayman.

Captive breeding programs currently exist for six taxa of West Indian iguanas. In situ programs, such as those on Jamaican and Grand Cayman, are having immediate effects on population viability through the successful repatriation of headstarted juveniles.