The National Trust for the Cayman Islands began captive breeding Blue Iguanas in 1990, in response to a government sponsored survey in 1988 which found wild iguanas to be so scarce that extinction seemed imminent.

Since then the program has developed to integrate

• Field Research
• Habitat Protection
• Captive Breeding
• Population Restoration
• Public Education and Awareness

In November 2001, the IUCN Iguana Specialist Group met in Grand Cayman, and with the Trust and local Government drafted a Species Recovery Plan for the Blue Iguana. This formalizes the involvement of an expanding network of international partners who are assisting in our effort to save this species. The Recovery Plan calls for:

• Establishment of a protected area in the range of the surviving wild Blue Iguanas
• Possible reintroduction of Blue Iguanas to future protected areas in western Grand Cayman
• Expansion and enhancement of the Trust’s captive breeding facility in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (now complete except for landscaping, signage and public access)
• Continued restocking of the newly established wild population in the QE II Botanic Park, together with habitat enhancements to improve breeding success
• A major public awareness campaign in 2003 (completed, with follow-up underway)
• Expansion and genetic diversification of the captive population overseas, to provide a backup against natural disasters, and as a flagship for ongoing international support
• Fund raising to support the conservation program

To ensure the survival of the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana, coordinated involvement and support from many sectors will be needed, ranging from non-profit to commercial, public to private. Your help is urgently needed to help realize the Species Recovery Planâ??s goal of restoring at least 1,000 Blue Iguanas in the wild. Whether by contributing financially, gifting goods and services, contributing skills and time or simply by spreading the word, you may be able to play a role in helping save the worldâ??s most endangered iguana.

For more information, visit: Blue Iguana Recovery Programme

Lead Partners

Local & Internation Partners