IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group

2018 Report

Chuck Knapp Stesha Pasachnik

Co-Chairs Mission statement Targets for the 2017-2020 quadrennium

Chuck Knapp (1) The mission of the IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Assess (2) Stesha Pasachnik Group (ISG) is to prioritise and facilitate conser- Red List: Complete Red List assessments for 40 vation, science, and awareness programs that species of iguanas. Red List Authority Coordinator help ensure the survival of wild iguanas and Plan Tandora Grant (3) their habitats. To achieve this, we implement, Planning: (1) complete action plans for 22 advise and fundraise for programs that include species of iguana; (2) compile and curate Location/Affiliation population surveys, protected areas manage- public outreach assets that can be modified (1) ment, invasive species control, field research, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois, US and used by group members; (3) develop a (2) genetic studies, education and captive Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth, Texas, US rapid response protocol for assisting partners (3) breeding/headstarting initiatives. Headstarting, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation impacted by hurricanes. Research, San Diego, California, US in which hatchling iguanas are raised in a safe, captive environment until they reach a larger, Network Number of members less vulnerable size, is proving invaluable in Membership: maintain and increase the use rescuing several Critically Endangered iguanid of the membership listserv by 50%. 89 taxa from the brink of extinction. Communicate Social networks Communication: (1) publish four annual Projected impact for the 2017-2020 Website: issues of Iguana Specialist Group Newsletter; quadrennium www.iucn-isg.org (2) increase publications in virtual library by By the end of 2020, we envision improved 50 articles; (3) update Invasive Iguana Position status for many of our threatened species in Statement. Central America, the Caribbean, Fiji, and the Scientific meetings: convene four annual Galapagos. Most of our programs focus on meetings. species that are Critically Endangered (CR) or Endangered (EN) due to habitat alteration and Activities and results 2018 invasive alien species (IAS). The Jamaican Rock Assess Iguana, Cyclura collei, is a flagship species for Red List our group and one of the most threatened species of iguana in the world. Efforts are i. Thirteen assessments were completed in underway to expand the area of occupancy 2018 (4 published, 9 in the submission queue through intensive IAS control efforts. Due to held over from IUCN Red List update 2018.2). recent devastating events, intensive efforts are (KSR #1) underway to prevent the extinction of Iguana Plan delicatissima by hybridisation with Iguana Planning iguana. Capacity building is ongoing for several i. A Recovery Plan workshop was held for Fijian species in Honduras, listed in a threatened cate- Iguanas and a draft of the published plan is gory. Taxonomic work is underway to better in progress. In 2018, planning started for the understand the diversity within Iguanainae and thus guide our management and conservation actions. The last major stronghold for the Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on Dominica was invaded by Common Green Iguana after the hurricanes of 2017. The ISG is mobilizing resources to try and thwart their spread Photo: Charles Knapp

The Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) has been translocated around the globe by the pet trade and causes significant damage in its non-native range. The ISG has developed a position statement on invasive iguanas to inform governments about the serious threats they pose to their economies and what they can do about it. Photo: Nick Pitman

Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana (Cyclura carinata); preparations have started for a workshop to revise the Species Recovery Plan for this iguana Photo: Glenn Gerber following two items: a workshop to revise the Network Acknowledgements Species Recovery Plan for Turks and Caicos Membership We thank the International Iguana Founda- Rock Iguana (Cyclura carinata) will be held i. Sixty-one messages were shared within the tion, and their donors, for the financial support summer 2019; a Species Recovery Plan work- ISG Listserve during 2018, including contribu- of eight projects conducted in 2018, totalling shop for Roatan Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura tions by members beyond the Co-Chairs and US$ 66,463, focused on iguana conservation oedirhina) and Utila Spiny-tailed Iguana (Cteno- Program Officer. in Central America, the Caribbean, Fiji, and the saura bakeri) will be held in November 2019. Communicate Galapagos. We also acknowledge the efforts of (KSR #15) Ty Park for organising the Iguanafest – a fund- Communication ii. Public outreach assets continue to be raiser to support iguana conservation in 2018. i. We have completed the 2017 newsletter and collected after an additional request at the 2018 We also thank those members who made dona- are working on the 2018 newsletter. (KSR #28) ISG meeting and through the listserve. Next tions in 2018 to our annual meeting travel fund, step includes creating an online and dynamic ii. Four hundred and five iguana-related publi- contributed to Red List assessments, partici- repository. (KSR #18) cations added to the Virtual Library in 2018. pated in our meeting auction to raise funds for iii. Rapid-response technology assets and (KSR #28) our travel awards, and participated in other ISG communication strategies were discussed iii. The ISG position statement on non-native activities. at the 2018 ISG meeting. There was a strong invasive iguanas was updated with collective support response for post Hurricane Maria input and is posted on the ISG website. Summary of activities 2018 needs in early 2018 for Dominica. We are inves- (KSR #28) Species Conservation Cycle ratio: 4/5 tigating means to mobilise funding to activate Scientific meetings Assess 1 | response to action. (KSR #18) i. An annual meeting in Fort Worth, Texas (US) Plan 3 ||| was organised and convened by over 50 ISG members; more than 30 presentations were Network 1 | given, and 10 in-depth discussions had by Communicate 4 |||| the group; the ISG organised an auction and Main KSRs addressed: 1, 15, 18, 28 raised more than US$ 3,000 for our travel grant KSR: Key Species Result program; a code of conduct for ISG members was shared; Red List assessments were conducted.