2017 Pre-Hurricane Update
Botanic collaboration. We continued our collaboration with Kew botanists and the J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens in Tortola (JROBG) investigating iguana and flora interactions. Collaborators surveyed the island in February to identify patches of diverse forest that might support unknown iguana populations, and a location in the eastern Warner area was identified for future exploration. We also continued the seed germination study to determine if seeds passing through an iguana’s gut enhances germination or growth. Seeds of Amyris elemifer, Reynosia sp., and Ziziphus rignonii were collected from wild iguana scat and planted at the JROBG. Further plant species would be collected during the October trip. Unfortunately, JROBG was completely destroyed by Hurricane Irma and this work has been put on hold until our partners in the BVI recover. Preliminary results did show promising differences in germination rate. These studies help expand the program’s focus from a saving a single iguana species, to saving important mutualisms within the ecosystem. By camera trapping in areas with high densities of rare plant species, we could create a new method to identify previously unknown subpopulations and new locations for future iguana releases.
Nest site locating. Four nests in Windlass Bight and one in Bones Bight were located and fenced. Unfortunately, it is not likely we will be able to tell if these nests hatched post-hurricane.
Captive facility update. In July, the captive facility held 60 iguanas, with 25 that were slated for possible release in October. Two hurricanes within two weeks of each other, Irma and Maria, created an emergency situation for the captive animals. Two NPTVI staff remained on island and feeding the animals with what supplies they managed to procure. The Fort Worth Zoo team was able to have one shipment of produce delivered, and working on getting an emergency supply of pelleted diet to Anegada. However, Hurricane Maria also destroyed the staging area in Puerto Rico that was the best opportunity to get food to Anegada. Instructions were given to NPTVI staff to release all animals if they are unable to feed them. In this case, all 60 captive animals will be released, and K. Bradley will recapture as many animals as possible once she is allowed back on island. Large animals would be released to the core iguana area. Small animals could be put back in facility cages if conditions allow.
Camera trapping. We set up a reconnaissance camera grid in the eastern Warner area in conjunction with the botanic collaboration (above). This area contains a healthy plant community, including numerous black sage plants (Veronia rupicola). This is a Critically Endangered plant that appears to thrive in areas with iguanas. Unfortunately, the cameras collected no images of iguanas in this area between February and May 2017. Cameras were also set up in the core iguana area (Windlass Bight, Bones Bight, and Middle Cay) between May and July 2017 to continue the long-term monitoring of the released and wild animals. Finally, cameras were left observing each of the nests found in August 2017. Systematic camera grid surveys monitor strategic locations for long periods, gathering extensive data not previously collected. This noninvasive method has collected rarely observed behavior and other population structure data in the core iguana area, lending support for the protection of the this area. If the storms have not damaged or moved the nesting cameras, K. Bradley will collect the images/data once she is allowed back on island.
Iguana Fest. Our annual education outreach event was scheduled to take place on October 20. This event has been delayed until a more appropriate time, and will likely be a much smaller event than originally planned. Residents look forward to the annual Iguana Fest — it highlights the island’s uniqueness and encourages resident’s ownership of the iguana program.
Visitor’s Center video. We collected video footage of wild adult iguanas during the May and July 2017 trips. The footage was submitted to the National Parks Trust in August. The NPTVI hired a local company to produce a short video that will be used as an educational graphic in the new visitor’s center. When this project resumes we plan to purchase TV and video equipment for the center.
Future. Given hurricane Irma, the program’s most pressing needs will be structural repairs at the facility. The NPTVI will also need equipment, materials, and miscellaneous supplies to continue their recovery from the storm. The FWZ and IIF will be in a good position to help our long-term partners rebuild so they can continue to support the iguana recovery program. Researchers will continue our collaboration with KEW on previous studies interrupted by the storm, but also investigate differences in how native plant communities in areas with and without iguanas recover. The 2017 Iguana Fest was to be greatly expanded with close to 150 children from other islands (Virgin Gorda and Tortola), plus the addition of local venders selling handmade products and food/drink. It is our plan that the expanded event will be implemented in the 2018 Iguana Fest. We hope this will help create a sense of normalcy for the island’s residents.