After a long and challenging journey, eight critically endangered Fijian iguanas have arrived at the San Diego Zoo. Their trip included being seized by authorities, staying in quarantine, and finally making their way to their new home.
These iguanas are now part of the largest captive colony of their kind at the zoo. The San Diego Zoo is also leading genetic research efforts aimed at ensuring the survival of this endangered species. The staff at the zoo expressed their excitement about welcoming these unique reptiles.
The iguanas were originally confiscated in a major bust in Spain back in 2017, where more than 600 illegally trafficked reptiles were seized. Brett Baldwin, the curator of herpetology at the zoo, pointed out that wildlife smuggling is a significant issue, especially for reptiles, due to high demand in the illegal pet trade. He emphasized that the iguanas’ journey to San Diego took years to plan and reflects the zoo’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
While in Spain, the iguanas were cared for by the Foundation for Research in Ethology and Biodiversity, located near Madrid. Their transfer to the San Diego Zoo was approved by the Fijian government as part of a global effort to restore the population of Fijian iguanas.
Baldwin traveled to Spain to ensure a smooth transition for the iguanas. Once they arrived in Los Angeles, they were taken to the zoo’s veterinary hospital for health checks and quarantine. After this period, they will be introduced to the rest of their new family at the zoo.
The National Trust of Fiji has highlighted the importance of this effort, noting that wildlife smuggling poses a serious threat to the already vulnerable iguana populations in Fiji. The Chairman of the Trust, Setoki Tuiteci, expressed gratitude to the authorities and organizations like the San Diego Zoo for their role in protecting these animals.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a long history of helping with reptile seizures and has been involved in breeding programs for Fijian iguanas since the 1990s. Their efforts have successfully produced over 100 hatchlings. Genetic studies conducted by the zoo have revealed that Fijian iguana populations have more genetic diversity than previously thought, which could indicate the existence of a new species.
Zoo geneticists will work with the new arrivals to determine if they were taken from the wild or bred illegally, as well as which island they may have come from. Fijian iguanas are typically found on about 10% of Fiji’s 330 islands, and many of these populations are under threat.
These iguanas, which can grow to around 21 inches long, primarily eat leaves, fruits, and flowers found in the coastal swamps and rainforests of their native habitat. They spend most of their lives in trees and only come down to lay eggs. The arrival of these eight iguanas marks a hopeful step in the conservation of this endangered species.