Multiple iguana species endemic to Caribbean islands are threatened by invasive predators, habitat loss, and over-hunting, with welfare concerns amplified by their cultural and ecological importance.
Caribbean iguana welfare is threatened at multiple life stages. Egg and hatchling mortality from invasive predators is extremely high, meaning most individuals die very young. Adults face hunting pressure, vehicle strikes, and habitat degradation. Nest protection programmes, which involve monitoring known nesting sites and removing invasive predators locally, can dramatically improve hatching success and juvenile survival. The invasive green iguana problem on some islands creates conflict with native species and leads to culling programmes — another welfare trade-off. The most sustainable approach combines predator control, habitat protection, and community engagement to build local support for iguana conservation.