Grand Cayman Blue
Iguana, Cyclura lewisi
Listed: Endangered
Listing date: June 6, 1988
What you might not have known about these animals!
Geography and Description/Ecology:
Baby Blue Iguana hatching from leathery egg |
Why did they almost become extinct?
Population Changes, Cause of listing and Main Threats:
Population Changes, Cause of listing and Main Threats:
The original population of the Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas spread across then entire Grand Cayman Island. In 1938 they found the population was declining on the west side and 25 years later there no signs of the wild iguana. 2002 is the most recent survey were they found a total of 10-25 individuals on the island and in 2005 they declared it functionally extinct.
Whats causing a lot of animal extinction all over the world is habit destruction and this is affecting the iguanas too. Grand Cayman Islanders have clear cut habitats for agriculture, roads, and real estate development. The remaining population is threatened by non-native animals like common iguanas, feral dogs, cats and rats. Also because development on the island has increase iguanas are becoming a road kill target. We know reptiles to lay out and warm up on hot surfaces (like road ways) doing this is developing into a serious problem for the iguanas.
IT IS THE MOST ENDANGERED IGUANA ON EARTH
Just think about what that means. These iguanas are only found on this single island. There are 44 species of iguanas in the world and 1 that has already become extinct. However, in 2001 they started working on restoring the population by capturing and willing reproduction between remaining individuals. The process included restoring diversity into the species by putting two iguanas together that have genetic diversity.
They have restored an area to about 200 individuals which is a positive outcome for their recovery plan.
They have restored an area to about 200 individuals which is a positive outcome for their recovery plan.
The recovery plan
The national Trust for the Cayman Islands is a non profit that
implemented the Cayman Island Blue Iguana Recovery Program which began in 2009
and was planned to continue into 2011. They planned to create a large
population of genetically diverse hatchlings. They would take on a three year
action plan each step having its own objective.
1. Objective: Protect and manage xerophytic shrub land
(needing little water) in the easter side of the Grand Cayman Island so that it
can support at least 1000 Blue Iguanas. They would open a visitor center
to educate the public along with get started on a Protected living habitat
area.
2. Objective: Restore, maintain and protect free roaming Blue
Iguanas in natural habitats. This would be in areas prepared for 2010 and 2011
captive Iguana releases. Improvement in nesting areas, genetically divers
population release and a regularly monitored area.
3. Objective: Provide genetically optimal animals for
reintroduction from the existing on-island captive breeding and head-starting
facility.
4. Objective: Safeguard against catastrophic loss of Grand
Cayman Blue Iguana populations, by maintaining the off-island captive
populations. They will have 3 protected areas on Grand Cayman Island from 2009
and on.
5. Objective: Ensure sustained support for conservation through
education for the public and awareness programs. "True Blue" teaching
guides for all school age group. Along with using local media and
websites.
6. Objective: Secure finances, human and technical resources for
a long term Blue Iguana Recovery Program. Doing this through hosting studies
and reaching out to have grants and corporate sponsors.
Below is a link to the actual Recovery Plan Document:
Summer Aleman
Bio 227
Below is a link to the actual Recovery Plan Document:
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