Iguana project
Conservation | Research | Outreach
The Utila spiny tailed iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri) or The "Swamper" as it is known locally, is Critically Endangered and lives only on the island of Utila. At Kanahau along with the help and support of the IUCN SSC Iguana specialist group, International Iguana Foundation and University of South Wales, we carry out a conservation programme which involves population monitoring, researching the nesting and hatchling ecology and habitat preferences. Our study involves using mark/recapture techniques along established transects to determine population sizes. Biometric data (Length, Weight, sex) are collected from each of the individuals, then they are marked with bead tags and PIT tags and then released. We also use such methods as Camera trapping, habitat surveying and radio telemetry depending on the aspect of the project Community awareness and education is key in this project as the Swamper is hunted on the island for its meat and eggs, this is an illegal practice but is very common on island. |
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