USA Iguana Council-%SLT Enterprises LLC Consulting

04/19/2022

Two years between these two pictures, stuning evolution for this amazing brachylophus vitiensis.

The critically endangered brachylophus vitiensis also called Fiji crested iguana is around 13,000, with 12,000 of those individuals occurring on the tiny 70 hectare island of Yadua Taba.
The remaining estimate of less than 1,000 individuals in total are scattered among 14 other islands.
They are an arboreal species found in coastal dry forest habitat, which is often fragmented and considered Fiji’s most endangered habitat.
Habitat loss remains the biggest threat, as brachylophus species are arboreal foliage feeders that depend on a small number of native forest trees for the leaves, flowers, and fruit that they eat. Feral domestic cats, and introduced mongoose and rats are a serious predation threat to this species on islands where they co-occur with Crested Iguanas.
Because of the success of recovery efforts on the island of Yadua Taba, the species has become a local celebrity and is used as a symbol for Fiji biodiversity conservation.

©️📸 Grayson Tighe (fb page Brachylophus Canada)

04/02/2022

Ctenosaura bakeri also called Utila spiny tailed iguana is a critically endangered iguana endemic to the small 16sq mile Honduran island of Utila where total population size is estimated at only 5000 individuals and is dwindling.
The species is heavily reliant on mangrove ecosystems and spend the majority of their lives in the swampy forest giving them the island nickname of the “Swamper”.
This unique, critically endangered iguana is under threat from extinction from 3 main factors, invasive species, habitat destruction and illegal poaching.
Ctenosaura bakeri exist solely in just 2.5sq miles of mangrove forest. Just one protected area exists on Utila, encompassing a total of 3.8sq miles, and contains 24% of the Swampers total habitat.

The iguana is protected under Honduran national law; however, enforcement is rare and poaching is a regular occurrence even within the national park area (Turtle Harbour Wildlife refuge).
Conservation measures include environmental education, community outreach, and creation of alternative livelihoods to poaching, future goals include purchasing an area of mangrove forest to create a private nature reserve to protect the species and it’s habitat.

©️📸 Renzo Rios.

08/29/2021