After a long journey filled with challenges, eight critically endangered Fijian iguanas have found a new home at the San Diego Zoo. These iguanas were seized by Spanish authorities in 2017 during a large bust involving over 600 illegally trafficked reptiles. Their arrival at the zoo marks a significant step in efforts to protect this species.
The San Diego Zoo is known for having the largest captive colony of Fijian iguanas. Zoo officials are excited about the new additions, as they are committed to genetic research aimed at ensuring the future survival of these unique reptiles. Brett Baldwin, the curator of herpetology and ichthyology at the zoo, emphasized that confiscations of trafficked wildlife happen frequently, especially with reptiles, which are in high demand in the illegal pet trade.
The iguanas spent several years in the care of the Foundation for Research in Ethology and Biodiversity in Spain. Their transfer to San Diego was approved by the Fijian government as part of a global initiative to restore the endangered species. Baldwin traveled to Spain to help prepare the iguanas for their flight to the United States.
Upon arrival in Los Angeles, the iguanas were taken to the zoo’s veterinary hospital for health assessments and quarantine. Once they clear quarantine, they will join the rest of their species at the zoo. The zoo has played a vital role in conservation efforts, having assisted with over 20 reptile seizures in the last 28 years and starting a breeding program for Fijian iguanas in the 1990s, which has successfully produced more than 100 hatchlings.
Geneticists at the zoo will analyze the new iguanas to determine if they were poached from the wild or bred illegally, and to identify their original island of origin. This is crucial since Fijian iguanas are found on only 10% of Fiji’s 330 islands, and many populations are under threat from human activities and invasive species.
These iguanas are about 21 inches long and primarily feed on leaves, fruits, and flowers found in their native coastal swamps and rainforests. They spend most of their lives in trees, coming down only to lay eggs. The arrival of these iguanas at the San Diego Zoo is a hopeful sign for their future and highlights the ongoing efforts to protect endangered wildlife.