International Recognition for Rare Iguana Breeding

The Zoo has earned international recognition for its successful breeding programs for rare iguanas. Under its Project Iguana conservation and research initiative, in August 1995, the Indianapolis Zoo became the first zoo in the world to successfully hatch the endangered Grand Cayman Island blue iguana, and additional hatchlings were born in 2002 and 2003. In 2006, the Zoo was the site of the first hatchings of the extremely endangered Jamaican iguana.

The Zoo was also one of the first to breed the Ricord's, Cuban ground, and rhinoceros iguanas. The Zoo has also continued its financial and technical support for the endangered Jamaican iguana, the second rarest lizard in the world. Due to its rarity and genetic importance, these iguanas must live in an environment free from disease and injury. For this reason, they are not on exhibit in the biome. Located behind the scenes, the animals are closely monitored by Deserts Biome staff.

The Zoo is lucky to have these rare Jamaican iguanas, which are listed critically endangered by the IUCN. Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to this amazing creature. In the tropical forests of Hellshire Hills, Jamaica – the species’ last standing refuge – an export market for charcoal is developing and creating a problem of deforestation. But animal conservationists are working to prevent illegal tree cutting in Hellshire. You can help preserve this species by signing the petition to Save Rare Iguana and Ancient Forest in Jamaica’s Hellshire Hills.

A conservation project for the Ricord’s iguana was begun in 1997 with a preliminary trip to the Dominican Republic to establish contacts and investigate methods by which the Indianapolis Zoo can help this species in the wild and in human care. Since that time, Dr. Jan Ramer, the Zoo’s Associate Veterinarian, has led the Zoo team in a collaborative effort to research (and perhaps someday reintroduce) Ricord’s iguanas, with a number of trips to the Dominican Republic for field research projects. In 1999, the Zoo was privileged to successfully hatch a rare desert monitor lizard – the only successfully birth of this animal outside of the Mideast.

Photo of Ricord's Iguana by Jan Ramer