Although there are scattered pockets of Crested Iguana population on the lower Yasawa Islands and others of the Fiji Group, it is only found in numbers on remote Yaduataba.

The captive breeding program at the park has hatched many cresteds since its inception in February 1998. The females bury their eggs in the soil where they incubate for an incredible 9 months, the longest incubation time of any iguana. Typically the female digs a hole some 15 to 20 cm deep and lays a clutch of 4 eggs. There is a serious threat to the existing wild population despite the excellent protection they receive at the sanctuary from NTF and the people of nearby Yadu Island. If one disease or a bush fire (started by lightning in the dry season) takes hold, it could wipe out the entire sanctuary population. If the sanctuary takes a direct hit from a major cyclone, it could be disastrous.

Only education and action will ensure that this unique iguana remains a national asset of the Fiji Islands for generations to come. Please visit www.icffci.com to find out how you can help.

The Island is now a sanctuary managed by the National Trust for Fiji.

In early 2000 The National Trust for Fiji, The Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales (Taronga Zoo) and Kula Eco Park co-founded The International Conservation Fund for the Fijian Crested Iguana (ICFFCI). If you would like to learn more of this fascinating and extremely endangered iguana, visit www.icffci.com, the official ICFFCI web site.

Would you like to become an Iguana Breeding Program Sponsor?

Simply click on the Help! button above to find out how.