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Home , Blue iguana, Brachylophus fasciatus, Conolophus marthae, Jamaican iguana, Lesser Antillean iguana

VOL. 2 | 2017 THE SCIENCE OF

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL® INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH

Still dedicated to protecting island Island : after 25 years, Global and its partners share a long-term commitment Saving the World’s Rarest that continues well into the future. Lesser Antillean 520 95% species on are found Caribbean nowhere islands else

80% of Our hope is that iguanas, since 1500 have been island with their wide distribution species in the tropics and subtropics,

will continue to serve as 40% of threatened species flagship species for live on the conservation of islands threatened island systems. –Glenn Gerber, Ph.D. PROTECTING PARADISE “ Why Islands and Island Species Matter By Glenn Gerber. Ph.D., Scientist, Population Sustainability in the Fight to End and Caribbean Program Head

Photo courtesy of Charles Knapp, Ph.D.

Rescuing Flagship Species CONSIDER THIS STUNNING STATISTIC: ISLANDS REPRESENT LESS THAN 5 PERCENT OF THE EARTH’S LAND BUT ARE HOME TO When Institute scientists mention the Caribbean islands where they work with MORE THAN 40 PERCENT OF THREATENED ANIMAL SPECIES. FURTHER, APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF EXTINCTIONS THAT endangered rock iguanas, they describe dry tropical scrub forests, cacti, jagged limestone OCCURRED OVER THE PAST 500 YEARS HAVE BEEN ISLAND SPECIES. WHY? BECAUSE ISLANDS, DUE TO THEIR ISOLATION, cliffs, steep terrain, hurricanes, diseases like zika and dengue fever, extreme and steamy HARBOR MANY UNIQUE SPECIES THAT ARE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO HUMAN IMPACTS. OF THE WORLD’S 35 BIODIVERSITY temperatures—and those large lizards that have razor-sharp toenails. Yet all these HOTSPOTS—EARTH’S MOST BIOLOGICALLY RICH YET THREATENED AREAS—NEARLY ONE-THIRD ARE OCEANIC ISLAND GROUPS. challenges haven’t discouraged San Diego Zoo Global’s research team, still together after 25 years and more determined than ever to save rock iguanas from extinction. As one of our SAFEGUARDING RARE ISLAND SPECIES AND THEIR THREATENED HAS BEEN A MAJOR FOCUS AT THE INSTITUTE scientists said, “These incredible deserve our protection, because without them the ” FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. islands will be diminished in so many ways.” They have definitely become flagship species for their Caribbean . or life to take hold on a newly formed oceanic not all species are good island colonizers. For island, such as an emerging volcano, spe- example, animals that fly or swim are more likely How You Can Help F cies must colonize from elsewhere. Wildlife to colonize islands than those that do not. Among San Diego Zoo Global research teams all over the world rely on the generosity of donors like you that colonize these islands early in their history terrestrial vertebrates, are better island to help achieve our vision to lead the fight against extinction. To learn ways you can help, please call encounter harsh conditions but are rewarded with colonizers than mammals because of their lower Maggie Aleksic at 760-747-8702, option 2, ext. 5762, or email [email protected]. little competition or from other species, metabolic requirements and the ability to go with- leading to great ecological opportunity. Successful out food or fresh water for long periods, increasing colonizers often evolve into groups of new species their chances of surviving an unintentional ocean adapted to exploit unique environments—but crossing. As a result, island ecosystems typically ON THE COVER: ’s spectacular blue iguanas, lewisi, were close to extinction in 2002—only 20 were estimated living in the wild. Determined in-country recovery efforts led to today’s increasing population. Continued on page 3 Photo courtesy of John Binns/International Reptile Conservation Foundation. 2 ISLAND IGUANAS

ANDROS ISLAND TURKS & IGUANA CAICOS IGUANA

ANEGADA IGUANA

CUBAN IGUANA IGUANA

SISTER ISLES IGUANA

Fiji PINK IGUANAFIJI IGUANA TURKS & RICORD’SCAICOS IGUANA IGUANA

GRAND CAYMAN RHINOCEROS IGUANA

Continued from page 2 contain few mammals, other than of the Caribbean, Galápagos, and and livestock. These mammals, WHERE PINK IGUANAS ROAM bats, and are often dominated Fiji islands are other examples. along with habitat degradation and by reptiles and birds. Caribbean Some species can reach 5 feet in destruction, have accompanied t the highest peak on the biggest island in the Galápagos, 200 elusive islands, for example, are home length and 30 pounds, like Cuban human colonization of islands for pink iguanas make their last stand. Living on the edge of an active to 69 native mammal species iguanas. In addition to being hundreds of years. Consequently, A volcano, they exist nowhere else in the world. But perhaps most (mostly bats) versus 520 native among the largest native animals

iguana species native to oceanic Gentile Gabriele Dr. shockingly, we only learned about them recently—and then the race to PINK IGUANA reptile species. Of the reptiles, 95 on the islands they inhabit, islands are now among the most save them swiftly began. percent are found nowhere else. iguana species are dominant threatened reptiles in the world. and seed dispersers, First described to science in 2009, pink iguanas, marthae, G Without large mammalian reaching extraordinary densities are listed as on the IUCN Red List. In addition to a All this reinforces our combined l a predators or competitors, in undisturbed island habitats. efforts to save them. As spectac- living in an extremely small, high-risk area on Isla Isabela, no juveniles p a reptiles on oceanic islands g o s ular, high-profile natives of the of the species have been observed, which strongly suggests the I s l a may evolve into giants, such as Unfortunately, iguanas are tropics and subtropics, iguanas population is decreasing. n d s Aldabra tortoises and Komodo also exceptionally vulnerable have become flagship species dragons, and often lack a natural to introduced mammalian for the survival of threatened San Diego Zoo Global is joining the fight to save the pink fear of humans and other predators and competitors, such island ecosystems. iguana from extinction. In collaboration with our partners at mammalian predators. Iguanas as , , dogs, , the University of Rome Tor Vergata, we have a plan to save this critically , but we need your help: stay tuned! 33 BACK IN 1992, NO ONE COULD PREDICT THAT A PROJECT WITH CUBAN IGUANAS AT GUANTANAMO BAY WOULD LEAD TO AN Remember that iguanas are the largest land animal EXTENSIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN THE CARIBBEAN TO RESCUE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ROCK IGUANAS FROM EXTINCTION. on most islands and are critically important seed IT ALL BEGAN WHEN ALLISON ALBERTS, THEN A YOUNG POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW WITH SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL, JOINED FELLOW RESEARCHERS TANDORA GRANT AND JEFF LEMM IN . NEXT, THEY WENT TO FOR A FEW DAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN A dispersers, keeping their ecosystem healthy. RECOVERY PLANNING PROGRAM THAT EVENTUALLY LED TO THE FORMATION OF THE IUCN IGUANA SPECIALIST GROUP. And the sheer beauty of pink, green, and blue iguanas cannot be ignored! –Allison Alberts, Ph.D., Chief Conservation and Grand Cayman ROCK IGUANA DIARIES Research Officer, blue iguana By Mary Sekulovich, Senior Editor, San Diego Zoo Global Translocated iguanas are released from tubes on the beach in the Development Department 25 Years and Counting Turks and Caicos Islands. hese were exciting years for conservation researchers We look for relatedness among founders living in zoos and because Jamaican iguanas were rediscovered in 1990— in island facilities as well as any changes in genetic diversity Tafter being declared extinct in the mid-1940s—when a from the original groups after years of headstarting and tiny population of fewer than 50 was found in the Hellshire translocations to new islands. Knowing how these iguanas Hills near Kingston. Soon after, rock iguana conservation are related determines breeding pairs and release strategies, programs were launched, with the Association of Zoos which are maintained in a studbook format for each and Aquariums recommending assurance populations of species. Tandora manages the pedigree analysis “ Turks and endangered iguanas in zoos, to protect against catastrophic for Jamaican and Grand Cayman blue iguanas— Caicos iguana loss in the wild. In 2000, Glenn Gerber joined the team as a both species are considered among the rarest postdoctoral fellow, setting up projects in several countries lizards in the world. At the Griffin Reptile and eventually overseeing the Caribbean field program that Conservation Center, Jeff Lemm oversees ” included successive postdoctoral fellows Charles Knapp, our breeding program for Jamaican, Stesha Pasachnik, and Giuliano Colosimo. In addition to Grand Cayman, and Anegada iguanas. Cuba and Jamaica, our teams have worked in The Bahamas, In the Turks and Caicos, which Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jeff Lemm , , and the British Virgin Islands. has over 200 islands, Glenn Gerber works with the smallest Working with the least endangered rock iguanas in Cuba, rock iguana species and oversees the team was soon posing conservation questions and reintroductions and long-term The Art of Saving Species refining techniques like egg collection and incubation. population studies. Volunteers are There is an art to contributing to sustainable wildlife They also pioneered a new technique in the region for essential for helping with this fieldwork management in a country other than your own. There are rock iguanas called headstarting: hatchlings would be that includes navigating between islands no shortcuts: understanding the local culture is key to having a raised in protected care for several years until they weighed on our dedicated research vessel: some on long-term impact, and it is as important as understanding the biology more and had a better chance of evading predators, such his team have made 25 trips with Glenn so of a species. Our teams welcome the opportunity to work with partner as mongooses and cats, when released. Tandora says that far. He has also worked extensively on Little organizations as well as local communities in creating conservation solutions “iguanas are resilient—they adapt well to reintroduction Cayman and on Anegada, where he and Jeff Glenn Gerber, Ph.D. for endangered species.

programs—and know immediately where to find food, dig Lemm began headstarting youngsters in 1997. Conservation Reptile Foundation Binns/International John nests, find mates. You don’t need to prepare them for release like birds and mammals.” After working together for 25 years, the team is optimistic about the future for iguanas. As island SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL ISLAND IGUANA CONSERVATION PARTNERS The first step is to find wild nests and wait for hatchlings to nations take on responsibilities for restoring habitat and emerge, then add transponder chips so they can be tracked predator control, and technologies and education improve, Blue Iguana Recovery Program Hope Zoo, Kingston, Jamaica Puerto Rico Department of Environment throughout their life, including annual health checks—and iguanas have become flagship species for conservation in British Virgin Islands National Parks Trust International Iguana Foundation and Natural Resources iguanas can live as long as 60 years. The goal is to raise them the region. For the team, this is their life’s work. Along Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at island facilities and release headstarted youngsters. For with dedicated partners and buy-in from islanders and their Cayman Islands Department of Environment Island Conservation example, Jamaican iguanas need to weigh at least 2 pounds governments, saving an endangered species will always Department of Environment and Coastal Mississippi State University Turks and Caicos National Trust before release, which could take 3 to 7 years. depend on those who share a long-term vision. Resources, Turks and Caicos Islands National Environment and Planning University of Rome Tor Vergata Fort Worth Zoo Agency of Jamaica University of the West Indies Galápagos National Park National Trust for the Cayman Islands Society 5 6 Every effort we make now is Building Partnerships dedicated to keeping Fijian iguanas from The SSP supports conservation efforts to protect and reintroduce rare Fijian iguanas by building partnerships with other organizations, becoming extinct including the U.S. Geological Survey, Taronga Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo, in the wild. National Trust of Fiji, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, —Kim Lovich Kula Eco Park, Mamanuca Environmental Society, Ahura Resorts, BirdLife Inter- ­ 1965: Six national, and traditional landowners. Fijian iguanas With funding from the International arrive at the Zoo Iguana Foundation and others, the SSP also develops ways to support education out- ” 172 reach within Fiji, iguana total hatches ranger training, habitat at the Zoo restoration support, and husbandry guidance for FIJIAN IGUANA iguana assurance colonies.

­ 2006: 3rd Kim traveled to Fiji in November CONSERVATION: species is 2016 to help release juvenile iguanas ” identified, raised in protective care under a B. bulabula headstarting program. By Kim Lovich, Curator of Herpetology & Ichthyology, San Diego Zoo Global A Race AgainstGenetics of Director Chair, Kleberg TimePh.D., Ryder, A. Oliver By

anfare greeted the first maintains the largest colony of American studbook. With our tested blood and skin samples fasciatus: it was While habitat loss and predation six Fijian banded iguanas banded iguanas in the world. partners, we work together to from iguanas living on 35 of Fiji’s first described by science in continue on many Fijian islands, Fthat arrived at the San create a holistic approach to islands—and for 27 of those we 1800 and was believed to be threatening iguana populations Diego Zoo in 1965: they were What has changed significantly Fijian iguana conservation and were the first to sequence them. the only Fijian iguana species just as they do in the Caribbean, a gift from His Royal Highness since 1965 is how we manage recovery. Overall, we hope to There were some surprises: we for almost 200 years. Then in we believe we can reverse the Tupouto’ a-Tungi, the prince and breeding programs for these expand the connections between found at least one new species 1979, the Fijian crested iguana decline of these critically endan- ruler of Tonga. While in the U.S. endangered species and help our animal husbandry expertise, that needs to be described. Once (pictured), B. vitiensis, was gered species. Our team is on business a few months later, protect wild populations. conservation science, and we understand the and discovered on a volcanic island, optimistic that when several the prince visited the San Diego While our Institute scientists external partnerships to help biology of these lizards, then the which was set aside as a factors come together—such as Zoo and had a reunion with Zoo and their partners conduct strengthen and support local IUCN Iguana Specialist Group sanctuary where the species raising public awareness about trustee Howard Chernoff, who field surveys and genetics Fijian conservation efforts. can develop a conservation could thrive. In 2006, a third the plight of Fijian iguanas and visited Tonga in December 1964 studies to understand Fijian reintroduction strategy for them, species was identified, the Fijian understanding the genetics and and requested the rare lizards iguana populations and their Breeding recommendations depending on the species and banded iguana, B. bulabula, biology of these reptiles—we can for a breeding program. More relatedness, in my role as are made based on best- where they roam. which is our SSP focus at the prevent the extinction of these than five decades later, the Zoo Species Survival Program available genetics information Zoo, where we have an extremely beautiful lizards. Optimism is a still breeds this endangered (SSP) coordinator, I assist with that supports long-term Even more surprising, the first successful breeding program: byword in conservation science: iguana species, under authority banded iguana husbandry at sustainability of a population. Fijian iguana known to science 172 have hatched there since we never give up when fighting of the Fijian government, and the Zoo and maintain the North Our Conservation Genetics team was the Lau banded iguana, 1981. against extinction.

7 8 Conservation Achievements Gifts & Grants The Griffin Reptile Conservation Center HONORS AND AWARDS

Symon Masiaine, Chief Research Officer, Dr. Megan Owen, Recovery Ecology, By Jeff Lemm, Conservation Program Specialist, Population Sustainability Kenya Giraffe Conservation Program, and Asako Navarro, Conservation was awarded a prestigious MasterCard Genetics, were invited to participate t takes a rare person to appreciate have all been studied here. Our newly Foundation full scholarship to complete as panelists at the Salk Institute for not-so-cuddly animals. Fortunately, installed camera system even allows us his master’s degree at Michigan State Biological Sciences’ “Women in Biotech” Iour iguanas have a big fan and to observe secretive behaviors we would generous supporter in Kenneth Griffin. not normally be able to document, such University. event as part of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) This is the most Several years ago, he visited the as nesting. Komodo Islands and saw one of the Leadership Series. Dr. Candace Williams, advanced rock iguana Komodo dragons with a radio collar, The Griffin Center has made it possible Reproductive Sciences, which was part of our team’s research for us to study and reproduce some of published a paper on dietary Dr. Barbara Durrant, Reproductive breeding facility in the project. Ken also noticed a sign that the most endangered vertebrates on shifts in giant pandas that Sciences, was invited to be the world. Here we can said San Diego Zoo Global was studying the planet. The generosity of Kenneth was awarded the top prize keynote speaker at the Southwest the giant lizards. It caught his interest Griffin has enabled the researchers for microbiome papers Embryology Summit in mirror the iguanas’ and inspired his first gift to us for this and the iguanas here to be successful, Phoenix, Arizona. remarkable program. creating a safer future for some of the in 2016 by Microbiome natural habitat and world’s rarest reptiles. In addition to Digest. In 2008, our breeding iguanas moved funding this groundbreaking facility, raise the young to from the San Diego Zoo to the newly Kenneth Griffin has also sponsored PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS reinforce our work constructed Griffin Reptile Conservation research to help Galápagos pink iguanas Center, an off-display breeding facility and Komodo dragons, which sparked in the field—and it’s at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. his interest years ago. Thank you, Ken, Our San Diego Zoo The 2,500-square-foot sanctuary was for recognizing the plight of these Global conservationists, up to us to give the built specifically to accommodate the often-overlooked animals and for your scientists, and researchers iguanas the correct husbandry and breeding of Caribbean extraordinary generosity! are constantly working to rock iguanas, considered to be the help us lead the fight against conditions to make most endangered lizards in the extinction. From studying how world. The Griffin Center is the environments and social factors impact them successful. only zoological facility in the decisions animals make, to disease Here’s what we’ve published lately: world to successfully breed issues facing reintroduced –Jeff Lemm and hatch the most critically species and efforts to save ” endangered species, palm habitats, there is Drs. Megan Owen and Ron Swaisgood mendation is the need to prevent the “Big 3”: Jamaican, much work to be done. used an integrative approach to study introduction of alien parasites into Anegada Island, and the ways that environmental and free-ranging populations.3 2008 Grand Cayman social context may influence how “Griffin Center blue iguanas. animals make decisions. The results Christa Horn worked with colleagues opened artnering with Free the Bears, are a variety of ideas with important to review the current literature The focus at the David O’Connor and Elizabeth implications for behavior-based available on Mauritia flexuosa and Griffin Center P Davis participated in a study to conservation biology.2 identified research needed to address is to create design innovative surveys improving conservation issues facing this 20 iguanas an assurance our understanding of public knowl- A recent paper from Dr. Bruce Rideout palm and its habitats. The review population as a edge, attitudes, and behaviors toward currently in represents the first proposed set of focused on literature related to palm residence safety net against bears and bear-part consumption in guidelines for ranking the potential ecology, human livelihoods, habitat catastrophic loss Southeast Asia. This information is impact of parasites on reintroduction management, and the relationships 2008 of wild populations. 4 First Grand vital to informing effective demand- programs, based on principles of between them. It is also a working 1 reduction campaigns in the region. disease ecology. A critical recom- Cayman blue iguana research facility hatched that helps recovery of iguanas in the wild. Egg Nikita Kahn with her namesake at the Citations: incubation, dietary plans, Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center 2013 ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 18. 1 Crudge, B., D. O’Connor, M. Hunt, E. O. Davis, and C. Browne-Nunez. 2016. 3 Rideout, B. A., A. W. Sainsbury, P. J. Hudson. 2016. Which parasites should we and fine-tuning the best be most concerned about in wildlife translocations? Ecohealth 14 (Suppl 1): 42. First Jamaican ” Groundwork for effective conservation education: an example of in situ and way to draw a blood sample ex situ collaboration in South East Asia. International Zoo Yearbook 50: 34-48. iguana or attach a radio transmitter 4 Virapongse, Arika, B. A. Endress, M. P. Gilmore, C. Horn, and C. Romulo. 2017. ” 2 Owen, M. A., R. R. Swaisgood, and D. T. Blumstein. 2017. Contextual Ecology, livelihoods, and management of the Mauritia flexuosa palm in South hatched influences on animal decision-making: Significance for behavior-based America. Global Ecology and Conservation 10: 70-92. 10 wildlife10 conservation and management. Integrative 12: 32-48. August 2013: First Jamaican iguana hatched at the Griffin Center. RECOVERY ECOLOGY PLANT CONSERVATION POPULATION SUSTAINABILITY GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS Our team placed GPS Center for Plant Conser- We hosted researchers We signed an agreement satellite transmitters vation network gardens from San Diego State to develop new technol- on 10 burrowing owls to across the continental University who are ogies to understand and improve post-relocation U.S. and Hawaii made sampling rattlesnake protect Grevy’s zebras settlement and survival. 37 seed collections of venom in the Safari Park in Kenya, including new 30 globally rare species Biodiversity Reserve to methods to identify growing on federal lands, study venom resistance individuals and assess like Monardella viminea. in small mammals. population genetics.

News W HAT’S

CONSERVATION GENETICS REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT We hosted a Frozen Zoo® We successfully Our researchers met We conducted interviews cell culture workshop collected ovarian tissue with collaborators in and workshops in San to share our experience from a Guam kingfisher, Dujiangyan, China, to Felipe, Mexico, in order and knowledge with a species that is now develop research projects to explore sustainable international scientists, extinct in the wild, that focus on giant panda livelihoods that protect so they can return home safely cryopreserving disease surveillance. Gulf biodiversity, including with the tools and skills it in the Frozen Zoo®. the critically endangered to establish their own vaquita porpoise. conservation biobanks.

THE SCIENCE OF

EDITOR: Mary Sekulovich | GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Scott Ramsey | PHOTOGRAPHER: Ken Bohn © 2017 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved.