Decisive steps are now being taken to quell the upsurge of the invasive iguana population in Saint Lucia.

The issue of hybridization of Saint Lucia’s endemic iguana has been brought to the forefront by the discovery of a pregnant green invasive species of iguana in Vieux Fort. This iguana belongs to a genetic group similar to the endemic Saint Lucia iguana, which is known to have unique bodily features including black dewlap. The invasive green iguana, on the hand, carries a greyish, orange dewlap.

While the species is thought to be a descendant of an escaped, smuggled pet, the recent discovery of the pregnant species indicates that alien invasive species threats have rapidly escalated in recent years. In this case, the invasive green iguana reproduces more quickly than the endemic Saint Lucia iguana, putting the native at risk of being outnumbered in the wild.

Despite being classified as invasive, non-native species are protected by the Wildlife Protection Act established in 1980 and should not be harmed. Saint Lucians are urged to be on the lookout for these species, and any sightings of the green invasive species should be reported to the Department of Forestry at 758.468.5634.