Necker animals - Stout Iguana
- By Richard Branson -
- Dec 16, 2011
Another great endangered species restoration success story! The Stout Iguana was again driven to extinction by human consumption in all neighbouring Caribbean islands by 1930 except for Anegada where the last remaining population existed happily until the introduction of wild livestock in 1970. This had catastrophic results on their population due to the increase in competition for food and the livestocks hoofs destroying the Iguanas nests.
In the early 80s, several Iguanas were taken to Guana Island and subsequently Necker Island in attempt to save the dwindling population and since then we are proud to have a population similar or quite possibly greater than that of their native Anegada at approximately 150-200 individuals.
The photo is of a juvenile measuring approximately eight inches while the adults grow to just over 6ft and look like mini-dinosaurs! The juveniles are more photogenic due to the distinct stripes or chevrons along their backs which fade as they age.
Necker animals 1 - Esio Trot the tortoise
Photo by Charlie Smith
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
