Thesis or Internship
Camera Trap and Tracking Tunnel Assessment of Invasive Species in Jamaican Rock Iguana Range
Caribbean Rock Iguanas are the most imperiled lizard group globally, and the Jamaican Rock Iguana (Cyclura collei) is among the most endangered, listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Once thought extinct by the 1940s due to habitat loss and invasive alien species (IAS), the species was rediscovered in 1990 in Jamaica’s Hellshire Hills tropical dry forest. This discovery sparked an international conservation effort.
Early surveys identified two communal nesting sites, and a 1993 Population Viability Assessment guided interventions including nest protection, monitoring, a headstart program at Hope Zoo, and IAS control. By 1997, invasive species management created a protected core area, helping the population recover to an estimated 800 individuals.
Despite success, IAS incursions persisted and natural recruitment remained low. Research led to the creation of a surrounding buffer zone, expanding protected habitat and reducing IAS pressure. This approach aims to increase recruitment and establish a self-sustaining population.
Field Period: April-June 2026
This project will assess native and invasive species across the core iguana zone, buffer zone, and greater Hellshire Hills using camera traps, tracking tunnels, and available live-trap data. Results will evaluate buffer zone effectiveness and inform updated IAS control strategies. The project is suitable for a master’s thesis or internship and requires excellent physical fitness and comfort with remote field conditions.
Requirements: WEC31806 and experience with spatial data analysis (GIS course)
More information: fred.deBoer@wur.nl