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Translocation of the critically endangered Fijian Crested Iguana

The 2008 IUCN Species Recovery Plan for the critically endangered Fijian Crested Iguana recommends immediate translocation of crested iguanas from the single secure population on the island of Yadua Taba to a second island. Populations of crested iguanas on all other islands continue to decline rapidly (Harlow et al. 2007). The island identified in the Recovery Plan as the first priority to investigate is Namena Is. In early October 2008 a team including Isaac Rounds (Fiji National Trust botanist), Dick Watling (NatureFiji), Suzie Morrison (ANU PhD student and crested iguana specialist) and Peter Harlow (Taronga Conservation Society biologist) conducted a feasibility study on Namena Is. with funding from the Taronga Foundation (to Dr P. Harlow). Our findings are that all the major dry forest plant species important in the diet of the crested iguana are present and abundant on Namena Is, and that this 43 ha island could support in excess of 100 iguanas/ ha. Namena Is. is owned by a Fijian clan living on the nearby large island of Vanua Levu. The island is leased to Joan and Tom Moody for a tourist resort, however, the lease has strict conditions restricting development to 6 ha with the remainder being maintained as a D. Watling: Field Conservation Grant Application 2 forest reserve. The resort has a maximum capacity of 12 guests at a time. The Moody's are fully supportive of this project, and permission will be obtained from the Fijian clan that owns Yadua Tab Is., and also the clan that owns Namena Is. before iguanas are translocated.