San Salvador Iguana

The remaining populations of San Salvador Iguanas have been essentially eliminated from the main island and are now confined to six tiny satellite cays with a total estimated population of 600 individuals. These remnant populations were nearly destroyed by introduced predators in the mid-1990s. The predators were eradicated in 1998 and the iguanas now appear to be making a slow recovery. Still, the tiny cays on which they live are vulnerable to weather events or reintroduction of predators and the San Salvador Iguana is considered to be extremely vulnerable to extinction.

To ensure the survival of these iguanas, new subpopulations need to be established. This is accomplished through a process known as translocation, whereby iguanas from healthy populations are moved to uninhabited islands that have suitable habitat, are free of predators, and that can support an iguana population. In 2004 the IIF awarded $7,500 to biologists from Loma Linda University to conduct a translocation of San Salvador Iguanas. You can click here to contribute to the IIF General Fund. Your contribution will help to ensure the future of other projects such as this.

Range country partners include the Bahamas Department of Agriculture and Bahamas National Trust.

Select here to donate to the IIF General Fund.