Lesson from the conservation of blue iguanas

Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) said that thanks to efforts to preserve the endemic green iguanas of Grand Cayman Island, the United Kingdom escaped the brink of extinction.

According to Mongabay, the blue iguanas (scientific name Cyclura lewisi) used to be ' king ' of Grand Cayman Island. They have red eyes, body length of about 1.5m and weigh about 11kg and can live for more than 60 years. Later, what happens to the blue iguanas is unimaginable: the destruction of the habitat, the process of urbanization and the increasing number of dogs and cats have " abandoned their throne ".

In 2002, researchers estimated there were 10 to 25 individuals of blue iguanas, alerting the species to be extinct in the near future. Conservationists have begun making a final effort to save the blue iguanas.

Blue camel on Grand Cayman Island. Photo: Julie Larsen Maher / WCS

Thanks to the local authorities and international NGOs working together in the ' Blue iguanas restoration program ' (BIRP), the results are relatively positive. Within 9 years, the number of blue iguanas has increased to over 500, currently living 'wandering ' in the Salina reserve on Grand Cayman Island.

How do scientists do this magic?

Initially, they took care of and bred blue iguanas in captivity, until they were 2 years old (big enough to withstand the hunting of wild cats on this island), then released they enter the Salina reserve, which covers an area of ​​about 253ha and then they are closely monitored.

An immature blue iguanas are waiting for a health check. Photo: Julie Larsen Maher / WCS

' For years, we have succeeded in releasing hundreds more blue iguanas into the wild population of the Salina sanctuary. All of them have a health check before being released , "said Dr. Paul Calle, director of animal health at WCS Bronx Zoo, who examined the health of the blue iguanas.

' This month, we liberated the first green momentum into Colliers - a newly established wildlife sanctuary. Our goal is to develop green iguanas to about 1,000, so far we can say our aspirations are about to come true , 'said Fred Burton - BIRP director in a press release. .