Re-introduction of Turks and Caicos rock iguana to Long Cay, Turks and Caicos Banks

Summary

The Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata carinata), Critically Endangered after disappearing from 13 islands and losing about 94% of its range mainly to predation by feral cats and dogs, was reintroduced by the Denver Zoological Foundation to Long Cay in the Turks and Caicos Banks as mitigation for a tourism development displacing iguanas on Big Ambergris Cay. After selecting Long Cay in 1999 for its size, habitat diversity, hurricane-safe elevation and protected-reserve status, the team first eradicated feral cats, then relocated 403 PIT-tagged iguanas from Big Ambergris Cay to Long Cay between November 1999 and November 2000, alongside public outreach discouraging further cat releases. A 2004 distance-sampling survey estimated the Long Cay population at roughly 1,065 iguanas, a 264% increase over the founding 403 animals and a growth rate faster than any previously recorded for the species, with no evidence of cats and healthy body condition matching the source population; Long Cay-born iguanas also displayed notably brighter coloration than their Big Ambergris counterparts. The Turks and Caicos government awarded the team a conservation recognition in 2002. Further monitoring stopped after 2004 due to conflict with a rival conservation organization that sought exclusive control over iguana conservation work and declined collaboration, though the population reportedly remained healthy at last report. Major difficulties included this inter-organizational conflict and persuading residents not to release cats, particularly black ones considered unlucky locally. The project rates itself Highly Successful, citing elimination of the original threat and rapid, healthy population growth on a previously uninhabited island.