Iguana Festival Tomorrow On Anegada

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(PLTM) - The National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands invites the general public to its Annual Iguana Festival, Friday 21st October at the National Parks Trust’s Iguana Headstart Facility in Anegada.

The Anegada Rock Iguana, Cyclura pinguis, is the native iguana species of the Virgin Islands, found on the island of Anegada. This rare iguana is internationally recognized as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species.

The Anegada Rock Iguana is protected under the Endangered Animals and Plants Ordinance (1987) and International trading of the Iguana is prohibited under the International Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Acting Director of the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands, Ms. Lynda Varlack had this to say about the endangered animal.

“I like to refer to the Anegada Rock Iguana as an original Virgin Islander, as it is truly native to Anegada, and very rare.”

Ms. Varlack noted that over the years, increasing development and sand mining led to significant loss of habitat and nesting grounds. Free-ranging livestock (cows, goats, sheep and even donkeys), gave the vegetarian Rock Iguana unfair competition for food. And an abundance of feral (or wild) cats have preyed on them in very significant numbers.

During the 1960s to 1980s scientists discovered a decline in the population of the Rock Iguana on Anegada.

The situation was deemed critical, which qualified them to be included on the global list of endangered animal species. “If decisive intervention wasn’t taken quickly, the risk of the Anegada Rock Iguana becoming going extinct was a very real possibility.”

Ms. Varlack explained the significance of the Anegada Headstart facility.

“In 1997 the Trust initiated the Headstart programme through a much-needed partnership with scientists from the IUCN Iguana Specialist Groups (ISG) and technical support from the San Diego and Fort Worth Zoos in the United States. The goal was simple but not easy to repopulate the Anegada wilds with mature adults that could protect themselves from cat predation."

She said, “The conservation programme intervenes in the most vulnerable phase of the iguanas’ life cycle – reproduction. From egg to hatchling to young adulthood, the iguanas are given shelter, food and water, weighed and monitored at the Headstart Facility so their numbers can increase.”

Conservation Biologist for the Fort Worth Zoo Mrs. Kelly Bradley confirmed that to date over 200 Iguanas have been successfully released back into the wild through the Iguana Headstart Programme. While this very significant in helping to bring back the Anegada Rock Iguana from the brink of extinction, the work is not finished yet, as another serious threat looms.

Ms. Varlack spoke about the more recent threat to the endangered animal.

“Many do not recognise the growing presence of the Green Iguana in the Virgin Islands. It is not native to the Virgin Islands and is an invasive iguana species that cannot be allowed to reach Anegada, as it will absolutely out-compete the Rock Iguana for food, and there is every chance the Rock Iguana would not survive that additional threat.”

She went on to explain that persons who view the Green Iguana as pets often think they can range freely from island to island with no negative impact on the environment or the plant/animal species that naturally occur here.

“Through the Headstart facility and other channels, the Trust is collaborating with partners to launch public awareness campaigns on the importance of controlling the movement and reducing the presence of the Green Iguana through the Virgin Islands.”

As Tourism is one of the economic pillars of the Virgin Islands, residents are urged to realize, that, not only does the Iguana possess environmental importance but the socio-economic value of the successful rehabilitation of this endangered species.

“It should also be said that there is great socio-economic and cultural potential in the survival and proliferation of the Rock Iguana for the people of Anegada and the wider Virgin Islands,” said Ms. Varlack.

“Ecotourism is on the rise in the Caribbean region, and the Rock Iguana can form a substantial attraction for eco-tourists and the birding community. We need to celebrate that which is original and unique to our islands as a key part of our natural history, our cultural identity and our tourism product.”

The public is encouraged to come out and learn more about the Anegada Rock Iguana and the rehabilitation work done by the Trust and its partners at the Annual Iguana Festival in Anegada. There will be a wide range of entertainment and activities for the family: Iguana themed games, Arts and Craft displays, Eco Tours, Demonstrations and much more.

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