Protecting Nesting Iguanas Strengthens Wild Populations

The country’s annual iguana ban is officially in effect tonight, and wildlife officers say it couldn’t come at a more critical time. From now until the end of June, green iguanas get a much‑needed break, a window they rely on to nest, hatch, and rebuild their numbers. But even as demand usually climbs when females are carrying eggs, conservation teams are urging Belizeans to lay off the hunting. They warn that this is exactly when the species is most vulnerable. Meanwhile, Belize’s only iguana breeding program is quietly doing its part behind the scenes, collecting eggs, raising young reptiles, and releasing them back into the wild to boost the population. It’s a partnership with the Forest Department that continues to strengthen the species, even without formal population tracking.

 

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