2018 Integrated Conservation of Ricord´s Iguana
January – December 2018
Ernst Rupp Grupo Jaragua
Outcomes
Control of feral mammals: A five-week feral mammal control program was carried out starting in May 2018 in two iguana nesting sites in Pedernales. Fifteen Tomahawk live traps were deployed (medium and large sized traps) with a diversity of baits and inspected twice daily (around 7 AM and 6 PM) by four trained locals; four cats and two mongooses were trapped. The protocol was repeated during a four-week period in late September. Only one cat was removed then. Unwanted bycatch (including pigeons and iguana individuals) were released unharmed. Feral dogs were detected but not trapped in either occasion.
Habitat restoration: With the support of the German Cooperation Agency GIZ we planted 66,771 cladodes of the prickly pear cactus (Consolea moniliformis) in the southern shore of Lake Enriquillo and 2,831 cladodes in Pedernales, and over 1,700 dry forest saplings (7 species) in southern Lake Enriquillo. A total of 30 locals participated in planting activities. The survival of plants was evaluated by November 2018: prickly pear cactus had the highest survival rates (over 90% survived). Two dry forest species had low survival rates due to predation by roaming ungulates (e.g. goats), thus, experimental exclusures were placed.
Habitat monitoring and patrolling: Two two-person patrol teams were trained and deployed to carry out bi-weekly visits to pre-established routes in Pedernales and southern Lake Enriquillo. Patrol teams documented threats using GPS unit and camera and reported threats to authorities. In southern Lake Enriquillo, four charcoal kilns, a hidden stock of illegally obtained wood (guaconejo) and destruction of 4.7 ha of forest by an electrical company were detected and reported to authorities. In addition, 15 iguana snare traps were removed. Monitoring in Pedernales showed significant traffic of illegally obtained guaconejo from January through May 2018. A new patrol team was trained and deployed with 4 locals from Anse-a-Pitres between May and December 2018. The team helped authorities seize and release two caged iguanas in the possession of hunters.
Nest monitoring research: Nest monitoring of ricordii continued in Pedernales with two trained locals. A total of 204 nests were marked and mapped. A total of 198 of the marked nests eventually did show an emergence hole at the end of the nesting season, and total hatching success was calculated as 97.1%. During the hatching season an additional 61 emergence holes were found, increasing the number of total nests hatched up to 259 (average of 13.4 nests per ha). The result of 239 successful nests is slightly higher than in 2017 but not greater than 2016 values. In Anse-a-Pitres, Haiti, the 4-person monitoring team found ten iguana nests in two out of four inspected survey areas.
Alternative livelihoods: A total of 30 locals were engaged in restoration activities as a way of employment, including iguana hunters, charcoal makers and at-risk farmers. We promoted agroforestry by carrying out two training workshops, in Oviedo (May 2018, 23 participants) and Baitoa (July 2018, 33 participants) and distributed over 250 fruit tree saplings.
Environmental education and outreach: The team compiled and produced didactic aids, booklets and stickers for an awareness campaign titled “Festival de las Iguanas de la Española 2018.” Activities were held in 8 iguana impact- communities (10 public schools reached) and Santo Domingo city. A total of 1,829 children and 192 adults were directly reached and around 4,000 people were reached via social media messaging. By December 2018, the team had produced a dry forest mural in Las Salinas and commissioned a rhinoceros iguana costume to be used in 2019, with the support of CEMEX and BirdLife International.
Impact
Control of feral mammals: Feral mammal abundance was reduced from two key nesting grounds in Pedernales in order to improve nest success and reduce nest predation for ricordii in 2018. Over 200 nesting pairs benefited from these measures.
Habitat restoration: Approximately 150 hectares of iguana habitat in two regions have increased abundance and density of key iguana food items (mainly prickly pear cactus, Consolea moniliformis). These degraded forest sites were diversified with the planting of 7 dry forest keystone species that also provide improved habitat for iguanas.
Habitat monitoring and patrolling: Approximately 100 km2 of critical iguana habitat had improved surveillance through regular patrolling along species range. Local authorities and Ministry of Environment had increased capacity to carry out corrective measures and detect threats due to our efforts. In addition, a significant habitat destruction threat (by electrical company) was stopped and addressed by ministry and GJ staff before further impact to ricordii habitat occurred.
Nest monitoring research: Nest success data was successfully collected in Pedernales in order to supplement long-term population monitoring database since 2004. Lessons learned will be used to provide management recommendations.
Alternative livelihoods: A total of 86 community members participated in sustainability and/or restoration efforts as a way to conserve Hispaniolan iguanas. This is a way to create environmental stewardship and leadership at key sites.
Nest monitoring research: Nest success data was successfully collected in Pedernales in order to supplement long-term population monitoring database since 2004. Lessons learned will be used to provide management recommendations.
Alternative livelihoods: A total of 86 community members participated in sustainability and/or restoration efforts as a way to conserve Hispaniolan iguanas. This is a way to create environmental stewardship and leadership at key sites.
Environmental education and outreach: The GJ team reached the highest number of local participants and communities reached within a given year to date regarding iguana conservation. Activities at local schools demonstrated that children and teachers have limited knowledge regarding the ecological importance of iguanas.
Future
Grupo Jaragua will continue to work with local and international partners in order to carry out activities in 2019, such as monitoring, habitat surveillance, restoration and education with the support of a grant secured through USFWS, AECIF (via local partner CESAL) and the support of local partners such as CEMEX Dominicana in 2019. Grupo Jaragua would like to standardize restoration and surveillance protocols in 2019 and provide new management recommendations based on 2018 emergent threats and lessons learned. GJ hopes to double the number of people reached through iguana conservation activities in 2019.