Endangered iguanas leave protected Caribbean island, populations explode

The tiny, windswept islet of Prickly Pear East might look like an unlikely stage for a wildlife comeback, but it has quietly become a lifeline for one of the Caribbean’s most imperiled reptiles. Conservation teams quietly moved threatened iguanas there, planted the seeds of genetic recovery, and now the island is hosting a thriving population that conservationists hope will be a model for regional restoration.

This story is about more than lizards and logistics. It’s a cross-island rescue mission, a test of community-driven conservation, and an example of how small protected spaces—and careful partnerships—can reverse decline for a species on the brink.

Why the Lesser Antillean iguana needed a lifeline

The Lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima) has suffered dramatic losses across the Eastern Caribbean and is listed as Critically Endangered in many assessments. Fewer than 20,000 adult animals remain regionwide, and the downward trend has been driven by a combination of threats that are largely human-mediated.

• Invasive competitors: The common green or striped-tailed iguana, an aggressive, fast-breeding species that can reach nearly two meters in length, has spread through many islands and outcompetes the native iguanas for food and habitat.
• Disease transmission: Researchers have tied introduced iguanas to the emergence and spread of illnesses that weaken and kill native reptiles.
• Habitat loss and predation: Development, feral cats and dogs, and other disturbances have further reduced safe habitat for the native species.

Moving iguanas to safety: the cross-island rescue effort

Faced with the rapid advance of invasive iguanas on Anguilla, the Anguilla National Trust made a bold decision to relocate the last remnant population from the main island to an uninhabited, alien-free outcrop: Prickly Pear East. In 2016, conservationists translocated 23 individuals to begin establishing a secure refuge.

Adding genetic resilience

Even small, predator-free islands can pose genetic risks if the founding group is too limited. To reduce inbreeding and boost genetic diversity, the Trust reached out to Dominica’s Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division. Dominica agreed to contribute young Lesser Antillean iguanas, and in early 2021 ten juveniles were flown to Anguilla under careful supervision and released on Prickly Pear East.

Early results: a rapid rebound on a protected islet

Recent surveys reveal striking gains. In under five years since the arrivals from Dominica, field teams counted more than 300 adults and subadults on Prickly Pear East — a dramatic increase that places the islet among just a handful of global strongholds where this species is doing well.

Those numbers suggest the translocation and genetic-boost strategy worked: the relocated animals bred successfully, juvenile survival is promising, and the population appears to be expanding at a pace that gives conservationists real optimism.

How partnerships and funding made it possible

Multiple organizations and government bodies played critical roles in the iguanas’ recovery. Support included logistical assistance from Dominica, technical and conservation expertise from groups such as Fauna & Flora and Re:wild, and financial backing from the UK Government’s Darwin Plus program.

• Anguilla National Trust — led on-the-ground operations and community engagement.
• Dominica Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division — provided founder animals to improve genetic diversity.
• Fauna & Flora and Re:wild — supplied coordination and conservation capacity.
• Darwin Plus — funding enabled planning, translocations, and surveys.

Scaling up: creating a mainland sanctuary on Anguilla

With Prickly Pear East showing success, Anguilla’s conservation community is aiming to restore the species on the main island as well. A new fenced sanctuary has been established around Fountain National Park to exclude invasive predators and alien iguanas. Organizers plan to reintroduce Lesser Antillean iguanas to that protected mainland site as soon as 2026, drawing some founders from the thriving Prickly Pear East population.

The fence is designed to keep out threats such as cats, dogs, and nonnative iguanas, giving the reintroduced lizards a fighting chance to establish a wild population on Anguilla without the persistent pressure that caused their decline.

Community action: the human side of the recovery

Local people have been indispensable to this effort from day one. Residents reported sightings that helped field teams locate remaining animals, volunteered to care for iguanas during genetic screening and holding periods, and joined the teams that carried out translocations. Volunteers from Dominica also assisted at key moments.

“This project reflects Anguilla’s commitment to restoring a piece of our natural heritage,” said Farah Mukhida, Executive Director of the Anguilla National Trust, emphasizing that the recovery is as much a community achievement as it is a biological one.

Lessons learned and future priorities

• Targeted translocations can succeed when paired with disease screening and genetic planning.
• Small, predator-free islands can act as stepping-stone refuges for species recovery.
• Long-term success requires both protected sites and community buy-in to prevent reinvasion and restore mainland habitat.

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.