Haiti, July 25th, 2013 -- International Iguana Foundation (IIF) is working closely with a Haitian community to create a wildlife reserve that would help save the critically endangered Ricord’s iguana – an animal that is key to reforestation efforts in the area.
Ricord’s iguanas were known to exist in just three small isolated subpopulations in the Dominican Republic: one on Isla Cabritos, a second along the southern shore of Lake Enriquillo, and a third in the coastal lowlands near the town of Pedernales. In 2007, biologist Ernst Rupp of Grupo Jaragua, working alongside the International Iguana Foundation (IIF), discovered an entirely new subpopulation in the Haitian town of Anse-a-Pitres.
Subsequent research by Rupp and Masani Accimé of IIF revealed that this population is extremely fragile, with an estimated 250 adults left, while what remains of its dry forest habitat is disappearing at an alarming rate. With support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Accimé has been working closely with the Anse-a-Pitres community to create a municipal wildlife reserve that would save this subpopulation from extinction.
Masani Accimé spoke with the Eco-Index about this project and the unique challenges faced by conservationists working in Haiti. To read the whole story please visit: http://ecoindex.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/ricords-iguana-haiti/
The Eco-Index would like to invite all media to reproduce this story partially or in its entirety on your websites, blogs, newspapers, newsportal, radio, TV and other outlets. Please be sure to give proper attributtion to the Rainforest Alliance for the story and to the International Iguana Foundation for all photos.
Feel free to contact us for more information about the organizations that are leading this project.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
Haiti News