Jamaican Iguana

(Cyclura collei)

IUCN Red List ranking: Critically Endangered

Feared extinct for nearly half a century, the Jamaican iguana was rediscovered in 1990 when a pig hunter's dog caught an adult male, the first specimen seen alive since the 1940s.  A remnant population still clings to existence in the remote rugged limestone forests of the Hellshire Hills in southeast Jamaica where it is restricted. Though hunted extensively in historic times, the introduced Indian mongoose poses the greatest threat to their continued survival by taking a high percentage of hatchling iguanas, resulting in an aging population.  At one time considered "the most endangered lizard in the world" the Jamaican iguana has been the subject of an intensive conservation and recovery effort and is making a strong comeback. Two active nesting sites continue to yield hatchlings for a headstart program at Kingston's Hope Zoo, and 55 young adult iguanas have been released back into their native habitat since 1997.  A predator control program removes mongoose from the core iguana area and over 150 iguanas now reside in the safety of captivity.  But without active conservation measures this species is still at a high risk of extinction.  Wild population estimates are hard to determine but range from 100 - 200.  A dedicated recovery team, both in Jamaica and the US, actively raises funds to sustain the recovery effort, minimally $20,000 annually. The IIF considers the Jamaican iguana one of their highest priorities for funding.  This species is medium-sized with an average body length of 16 inches (406 mm).

For more detailed species information, please refer to the IUCN-ISG Taxonomic Account for Jamaican Iguana, Cyclura collei