Knapp, Charles R.

English

Biodiversity Informatics

8 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2005 KNAPPA female Andros Iguana protecting the termite mound where she just deposited her eggs. Females may protect the mound for up to 10weeks and can be extremely aggressive towards other females and even humans.The Bahamian Andros Iguana (Cyclura cychlura cychlura) isthe largest native terrestrial vertebrate, and the only iguana(of three species, seven subspecies) in the Bahamas that is notconfined presently to small cays. Until recently, it was amongthe least-studied of the Bahamian species of iguanas and virtu-ally no natural history data were available. In addition, scientistshad no indication how many iguanas roamed Andros, and wereforced to make arbitrary estimates of between 2500 and 5000individuals for the International Union for the Conservation ofNature (IUCN) West Indian Iguana Action Plan (Buckner andBlair 2000). Prior to 1999, the only information scientists couldgarner was that the Andros Iguana faced particularly severeanthropogenic pressures relative to other island-dwelling igua-nas in the archipelago. These include habitat loss, illegal hunt-ing, predation by feral animals (e.g., cats, dogs, and hogs), andimpact from historic large-scale logging practices for CaribbeanPine (Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis), which destroyed largetracts of iguana habitat in the 1960s and 70s. Recent anecdotalaccounts from the island presented grim scenarios featuringiguanas either already in cooking pots or in cages stoically await-ing that fate. Some individuals were even discovered in a hunt-ing camp with their arms and legs tied behind their backs andtheir mouths sewn shut.Little regard was given to the Andros Iguana by interna-tional conservation organizations, mainly because reliable natu-ral history and population-trend data were sorely lacking and noscientist was doing the work. The late Walter Auffenberg initi-ated preliminary field expeditions in the early 1970s, but the sur-veys were short-lived and generated only cursory observations.The lack of more recent work was not unwarranted. Andros isthe fifth largest island (~ 165 km long by 65 km wide) in theWest Indies, travel is expensive, and logistics are a nightmare.Andros actually is a composite of three main inhabitedislands (North Andros, Mangrove Cay, and South Andros) anddozens of associated uninhabited cays, separated by saline tidalchannels called bights. Much of the low-relief island (~ 90% <6 m above mean sea level) is punctuated with small cavities andlarge blue holes. From east to west, a coastal ridge (to 30 m ele-vation) gives way to a flat and pine-forested interior.Approximately halfway across the island, forest grades intoextensive mangroves as the water table reaches the surface, andthen is reduced to extensive mud flats.Except for North Andros, no roads slice beyond the east-ern edge of the island making the interior accessible only by shal-low-draft boats and hours of trudging through mangrove andpoison wood-tangled bush. The labyrinth of waterways cross-hatching the island and the quirky tides make reliable naviga-tion difficult. Also, in the 1980s, Andros was a haven for drug-running bandits and interior passage was unsafe.These logistical hardships for humans actually benefit theiguanas inhabiting the interior of the South Andros area. Accessinto the interior on North Andros is facilitated by a series ofhard-packed logging roads — relics from past timber exploita-tion. These roads allow hunters and their dogs to gain access tothe interior of the island, where few iguanas remain. In contrast,the South Andros area is characterized by large and small iso-lated cays accessible only by boat. These isolated havens are freefrom large feral mammals and are not visited as frequently asareas to the north. The waters are teaming with bonefish, eaglerays, sea turtles, and dolphin. On calm, windless days, surfacewaters settle and return to the clouds a reflection that is sobreathtaking, it gives the illusion of flying through the air insteadof planing on crystal-clear water. The isolation is raw and real,making it more unsettling when evidence of humans and theirillegal activities are uncovered. In the late 1990s, while the dismal anecdotal iguanaaccounts were emerging from Andros, I was trying to develop aWorking to Save the Andros IguanaCharles R. KnappConservation Department, John G. Shedd Aquarium Chicago, IL 60605 (cknapp@ufl.edu)Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601Photographs by the author unless otherwise indicated.IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2005 9ANDROS IGUANAqAndros Island is actually a composite of three main islands and dozensof associated cays. Graphic by John Binns.field project for my doctoral degree at the University of Florida.The Andros Iguana population apparently was in decline, and Ifelt that I could make a difference by studying the animal tofacilitate initiation of a science-based management plan for thespecies. However, I did not intend to study only the iguana,make recommendations, and leave the island with a doctoratein tow. I wanted to help with on-the-ground conservation byworking with local people, regional organizations, and thenational government. If nothing else, I wanted the AndrosIguana to have an advocate for its preservation.Before I could even initiate fieldwork, I had to uncoveriguana populations dense enough for meaningful study. Theproblem is that finding an iguana on Andros is akin to search-ing for a needle in a haystack. Hundreds of kilometers of islandinterior had to be searched. Where to begin? Fortunately, I havebeen leading “citizen-scientist” research expeditions to theBahamas since 1995 aboard the John G. Shedd Aquarium’sresearch vessel, R/V Coral Reef II. In 1999, we made the deci-sion to cruise the waters of Andros in search of iguanas. We havereturned to the island each year (see Iguana Times 1(2):17–18,1(3):4–7, 8(1):7–15, 8(4):8–10, 8(4):12–16) and the field par-ticipation from public assistants has been vital in making long-term ecological studies of the iguana a reality (see Knapp 2004).In fact, we return in May 2005 to continue the work, whichincludes the seventh year of a mark and recapture study, and theinvestigation of the enigmatic nesting behavior of the AndrosIguana. The Andros Iguana is the only iguana in the world doc-umented to deposit its eggs in termite mounds. Witnessing afemale iguana aggressively guarding a nesting mound is stillamong my favorite sights. Whereas the ecological studies have been successful and haveyielded information that will be used in establishing a managementplan (see Knapp and Owens 2004 and other articles in press andin preparation), the opportunity to work with the local people onAndros has been most memorable. For the past few years, I havebeen trying to raise awareness of iguanas among local settlementsby taking advantage of frequent opportunities to get to know peo-ple and talk with them about their native iguana.Sometimes, serendipitous events help spread the wordabout iguana conservation. In late October 2002, during mywater “commute” to one of my study sites, I noticed two menwalking the shore of a distant, small cay. It seemed odd to methat two people would be so far from civilization with no appar-ent boat in sight. I cut a wake in the smooth surface water andveered toward the men to check and make sure that they wereOK. I was astonished to discover that they had been strandedfor two days because they had run out of fuel. They shared twosandals between them and had to resort to a makeshift secondsandal fabricated from snorkel fins. They were without food orwater and were attempting to walk and swim across cays andwaterways to reach safety. The thought of the men walkingthrough the bush on the jagged limestone with little protection,and their inevitable battle with mosquitoes during the crepus-cular hours made me shudder. I took the appreciative men backto their settlement and, from that day forward, I was known asthe “iguana man who saved Larry and Luther.”As fate would have it, a week later, I was slated to leave theisland with Joe Wasilewski, who had come to visit for a few days10 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2005 KNAPPAn adult male Andros Iguana moves through the extensive mangrovesystem. Note the radio transmitter sutured to the dorsal/pelvic crest.This animal was tracked for a total of four months in 2003.Ray Dean from South Andros island assisting with radio-tracking onLinder Cay, Andros Island in 2002. Ray had a knack for finding losttransmitters during the first unsuccessful season of radio-tracking.to help with the research. We decided to leave one day earlybecause Hurricane Michelle was churning up the Caribbean andheading for Andros. As rain fell and the sky darkened, we waitedanxiously in the one-room airport on Mangrove Cay, hopefulthat our plane would come to deliver us to safety. Instead, wewere flooded with forbidding radio reports about how the hur-ricane was to make a direct hit on Mangrove Cay. We will neverforget the radio announcer exclaiming, “the nation prays forAndros!” No planes came and the nervous crowd retreated to thesafety of shelters. Joe and I were stranded for hours, still hopingLocal Andros boys, Ricardo, Ray, and Bradley assisting the author inthe field.IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2005 11ANDROS IGUANAThe author with participants from the 2003 Shedd Aquarium iguanaresearch expedition to Andros. Photograph by John Bendon.Andros Iguana skull found in May 2004 at a known hunting camp on the West side of Andros. According to anecdotal accounts, 40 iguanas werecaptured for food in just one illegal hunting expedition. We found many bones at the site and it was littered with shed iguana skin. Typically, igua-nas are brought back to the settlements alive and sold.that a plane would come and carry us away. However, we wouldface the impact of the hurricane while in a concrete hotel, andthen be left stranded on Mangrove Cay for an additional twodays. Thankfully, damage was not as bad as expected and no onewas hurt, so Joe and I made the best of the situation by talkingabout iguanas with anyone who would listen. To this day, peo-ple still remember both of us and the reasons we study iguanas,because of that unexpected meteorological episode.Reaching out to children and trying to establish a conser-vation ethic has been one of my major goals. I frequently bringhigh school students into the field with me to help with research.Most of these students have not been off their individual sub-islands and none have ventured into the watery interior ofAndros. That pleasure is reserved for bonefish guides and fish-ermen. I instruct the students on how to capture and handleiguanas. Some even get to try their luck at radio-tracking.Another world opens up for them and the smiles on their facesspeak volumes.In order to reach more students and make a larger conser-vation impression, I have been bringing iguanas to the local highschools and giving presentations. The presentations are fun andthe animated crowds always buzz with excitement when I pullout a 4-kg iguana from its bag. My first school appearancestressed the importance of these presentations. First, I asked howmany students had ever seen an iguana. Approximately half thegroup raised their hands. I then asked how many had ever eatenan iguana and, again, approximately half raised their hands.Following my presentations, I often would hear from parentsthat students were talking about iguanas while at home.The initial presentations provided the opportunity todevelop a drawing contest for the students to further raise theirawareness of iguanas. Students were given the opportunity todraw a mural with a “Protect the Andros Iguana” theme. Allcontestants were given an Andros Iguana t-shirt and winnersreceived monetary prizes. Our initial thought was to use thewinning entries as background for a poster that was in develop-ment with the help of John Binns and Joel Friesch of theInternational Reptile Conservation Foundation. Instead, weincorporated all the entries into the poster and it made a greatimpact. Last September, I returned to the schools to award theprizes and donate the posters. The teachers were all thankful thatwe were bringing something back to the community and thestudents enjoyed seeing their artwork on a poster that will be dis-played in all government buildings and schools (as well as most12 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2005 KNAPPProtect the Andros Iguana poster designed by John Binns and Joel Friesch. The poster is currently in schools and government buildings through-out Andros. A few even hang in local bars, since some of the most productive iguana-related conversations take place in those types of establish-ments.IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2005 13ANDROS IGUANAbars) on the island. One teacher even thanked us because ourcontest proved to students that good things can happen whenthey are presented with an opportunity, and then meet thatopportunity with hard work.As expected during this project, I have learned a substan-tial amount about the natural history of the Andros Iguana.Unexpected, however, was my conclusion that I should not bethe spokesperson for the Andros Iguana. Instead, the local com-munity must take stewardship and assume the role of activelyprotecting their iguanas. Only in this manner will the long-termsurvival of this impressive lizard be realized. I am much encour-aged by the many dedicated people who I have met and who arewilling to help take on this responsibility.AcknowledgementsThe Andros Iguana would still be an enigma if not for the gra-cious assistance of many organizations and individuals. The JohnG. Shedd Aquarium has been the largest benefactor of AndrosIguana research and their support is greatly appreciated. Recentfinancial assistance for educational materials was made possiblethrough a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceInternational Conservation Fund. Among many contributions,Tiamo Resorts of South Andros has provided crucial logisticalsupport and contributed monetary prizes for the poster contest.Invaluable members of the research team include John Bendon,who designed t-shirts and maps, Audrey Owens, and SandraBuckner. Lou Roth, John Rothchild, and Charles Julian of theShedd Aquarium’s research vessel have been assisting beyond thecall of duty for years. In addition, the volunteers participating inthe John G. Shedd Aquarium research expeditions are responsi-ble for allowing us to repeatedly visit the island aboard theresearch vessel. Thanks also to John Binns and Joel Friesch of theIRCF for producing an incredible and invaluable conservationposter for the Andros Iguana.ReferencesBuckner, S. and D. Blair. 2000. Species account: Cyclura cychlura cychlura, pp.31–32. In: A. Alberts (ed.), West Indian Iguanas: Status Survey andConservation Action Plan. IUCN — The World Conservation Union,Gland, Switzerland.Knapp, C.R. 2003. You study iguanas in the Bahamas? pp. 23–28. In: R.W.Henderson and R. Powell (eds.), Islands and the Sea: Essays onHerpetological Exploration in the West Indies. Society for the Study ofAmphibians and Reptiles Contributions to Herpetology, volume 20.Ithaca, New York..Knapp, C.R. and A.K. Owens. 2004. Diurnal refugia and novel ecologicalattributes of the Bahamian Boa, Epicrates striatus fowleri (Boidae).Caribbean Journal of Science 40:265–270.Knapp, C.R. and A.K. Owens. In Press. Home range and habitat associationsof a Bahamian Iguana: Implications for conservation. AnimalConservation.Knapp, C.R. and A.K. Owens. In Press. An effective new radio transmitterattachment technique for lizards. Herpetological Review.Research OpportunityJoin me from 6–15 May 2005 during the next, and possiblylast, Shedd Aquarium iguana research expedition to AndrosIsland. This truly is a trip of a lifetime because we take youto areas that no one else has the opportunity to explore. Wewill be capturing iguanas for study and we also will witnessthe incredible behavior of the only iguana in the world thatdeposits its eggs in termite mounds. Only a handful of peo-ple have ever seen this event, so bring your camera andplenty of film (or memory card space)! Besides working inthe field, you also will have opportunities to snorkel andswim, visit with local people, and travel to cays never beforeexplored. If time allows, we will go fishing along the barrierreef and visit Bimini Island.The price is $1895, which includes accommodations,meals from breakfast on day 2 through lunch on day 10, trans-portation during the expedition, and departure taxes. Airfareto and from Miami, alcoholic beverages, and dinner on day 1are not included. If interested, please contact Michelle Jost atmjost@sheddaquarium.org or (312) 692–3191 for more infor-mation. Also feel free to contact me at cknapp@ufl.edu withspecific questions concerning the fieldwork.The poster contest winners from Mangrove Cay High School withtheir poster.Students interacting with the author and an Andros Iguana at theMangrove Cay High School. Photograph by Audrey Owens.

Working to Save the Andros Iguana

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https://journals.ku.edu/iguana/article/download/17478/15751

Working to Save the Andros Iguana

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Biodiversity Informatics

The University of Kansas: Journals@KU