Program Overview

For so many of us who are passionate about iguanas and wish to preserve them for our children and grandchildren, the IRCF has offered a unique opportunity – to volunteer and physically give of our ourselves for a species that we love. All of us who have worked with the Blue Iguanas will assure you that a world without these remarkable and truly beautiful animals would be profoundly diminished. To think that we brushed so close to this actually happening in 2002 when the species was declared functionally extinct in the wild is legitimately frightening. Even the loss of a few individuals such as Slugger and Sapphire to wild dogs, as was the case in June 2006, has been deeply saddening.

The near loss of the Blue Iguanas to habitat destruction and fragmentation as well as predation and competition with feral animals is a case study in devastation. At the same time, hopefully the rebirth of hope for the species through sound conservation strategy will provide a model for species preservation. The IRCF has been closely involved with the process at every step of the way, from constructing and operating the Blue Iguana website, analyzing and improving the diet of the initial Blue hatchlings, and designing and producing promotional materials, to campaigning for donations, equipment and volunteers from around the world to work on Grand Cayman assisting with many aspects of the Species Recovery Plan.

PARTNERS

The Blue Iguana Recovery Program is a partnership of local and international conservation groups, that share a commitment to ensure the survival of the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana.

National Trust for the Cayman Islands — exists to preserve natural environments and places of historic significance in the Cayman Islands for present and future generations. The Trust forms the institutional umbrella for the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, with a role in the BIRP centering on land ownership for protection in perpetuity, education and awareness, retail products and underlying statutory matters.

Department of Environment – Cayman Islands — facilitates responsible management and sustainable use of the natural environment and resources of the Cayman Islands through various environmental protection and conservation strategies and programmes. The Department’s role in the BIRP involves scientific, policy and enforcement support.

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park — on land jointly owned by the Cayman Islands Government and the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, the QE II Botanic Park is the site of the BIRP’s captive breeding and head-starting facility. The Park served as the pilot site for reintroduction of Blue Iguanas to the wild, and currently supports 30-40 free-roaming, wild Blue Iguanas.

International Reptile Conservation Foundation, Inc. (IRCF) — works to support conservation and research programs that contribute to the survival of threatened reptiles and their habitats. The IRCF works in concert with the scientific community, educators, and professional conservation organizations as a part of the total conservation solution. Blue Iguanas have been a focus of the IRCF since its inception, with support focused on international volunteerism, web site design and management, community outreach and fundraising, and a wide range of technical and publication assistance.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust — Durrell Wildlife’s mission is to save wild animals from extinction. Their teams of dedicated staff and volunteers use their scientific expertise to establish what needs to be done to save an animal from extinction. Durrell directs significant financial support to the BIRP, along with technical and human resources.

European Commission — On December 21, 2007, the European Commission signed a Financing Agreement with the Turks and Caicos Islands, providing for a grant from the 9th Economic Development Fund. The grant was made to support fulfilling international environmental agreements and in so doing; support sustainable development in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands (CI) and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). The Cayman Islands portion of the grant will assist the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme in management of the new protected area created in 2009. Funds will assist with construction of a visitor centre, a small ‘challenge’ fund towards protected land purchase, education and awareness work, and steps towards long-term financial self-sustainability.