Cyclura lewisi
Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, Kansas, USA
Endangered
The wild population of Grand Cayman Blue Iguana is currently estimated at 443 adults, based on known number of iguanas released to the wild and with ongoing monitoring. This is a significant increase compared to three generations ago (78 years) when the population may have been of the order of 250 adults. By 2002, that estimate had further reduced to less than 25 adults surviving in the wild (Burton 2002). The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme (a programme of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands with local and international partners) maintains a captive breeding and head-starting facility that currently houses ... Read More
Feral and free-roaming dogs and cats kill adults and juveniles respectively and have been shown to be capable of causing local extinction of other Cyclura species in absence of other threats (e.g., Iverson 1978). Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) have also been observed to cause severe injury to Grand Cayman Blue Iguana hatchlings and may cause mortality. Cats, rats, and dogs have been observed throughout all areas of remaining Grand Cayman Blue Iguana occurrence. In 2002 dogs were seen in areas that had supported nesting as recently as 1993. Dog attacks have resulted in observed deaths of adult free-roaming iguanas in ... Read More
Burton, F.J. 2012. Cyclura lewisi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T44275A2994409. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T44275A2994409.en