THE discovery of a species of iguana indigenous to Fiji and thought to be extinct has conservationists and the tourism industry abuzz with excitement.
Steve Anstey, Ahura Resorts Group general manager and Mamanuca Environment Society executive, said the find was of international importance.
“There are three types of iguanas found in Fiji — the banded iguana, the Lau banded and the green crested iguana — which was thought to be extinct but was discovered on Malolo Island in the Mamanuca Group,” Mr Anstey said.
“This is a significant find internationally because iguanas are prehistoric animals and they are very special in that urbanisation has resulted in them almost being forced into extinction.”
Mr Anstey said the five green crested iguanas that were discovered in 2011 were being kept at Likuliku Lagoon Resort.
He said deforestation and the introduction of animals such as goats, mongoose and cats on Malolo Island over the years had led to the iguana population almost being wiped out completely.
“They were found in pockets of old dry forest still evident in a few areas and they were forced into these areas and no one knew they existed so we are very fortunate to have discovered them.”
Mr Anstey said a team of specialists from the San Diego Zoo in the US would be in the country this weekend to take DNA samples and to determine the sex of some of the iguanas.
“Of the five that we have found, two are a breeding pair and the others are still babies so we have not been able to determine their sex and the San Diego team should be able to assist us with that.”
Mr Anstey said iguanas were herbivorous and only ate flowers and were extraordinary because they only came down from the tops of trees once a year to lay eggs.
“They lay four to six eggs in a batch and these take nine months to incubate – one of the longest incubation periods for a reptile.”
