Recovery Programs
In 1990, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) designated the genus Cyclura as their highest priority. Their first project was a captive breeding program for the Grand Cayman iguana, which at the time was the most critically endangered of all the species of Cyclura.
The Indianapolis Zoo is involved in research and conservation of all 16 taxa of West Indian iguanas. This includes collaborative work on establishing baseline biological values in captive and wild iguanas, and scientific investigation, conservation efforts, field research and captive breeding programs. The Indianapolis Zoo has been involved in the Dominican Republic for almost ten years and will continue its research and conservation efforts with the Ricord's iguana.
The project's goals are:
- to work with the Ricord’s Iguana Recovery Group to implement the ISG’s Species Recovery Plan.
- to conduct a census of iguanas on Isla Cabritos, Dominican Republic.
- to determine vitamin D status of captive West Indian iguanas at the Zoo before and after exposure to sunlight.
- to continue to develop long-term captive breeding programs for Grand Cayman Island Blue iguanas and Jamaican iguanas at the Indianapolis Zoo.
- to work in partnership with ZOODOM (the national zoo of the Dominican Republic) to develop a long-term captive breeding and husbandry program for Ricord’s iguanas.
- to develop an education program for West Indian Iguanas and their habitats.
Read more about this topic: Cyclura, Conservation Status
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