Study

Movements and nesting of the lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima) from Dominica, West Indies: implications for conservation

  • Published source details Knapp C.R., Prince L. & James A. (2016) Movements and nesting of the lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima) from Dominica, West Indies: implications for conservation. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 11, 154-167.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use signage to warn motorists about wildlife presence

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Use education and/or awareness campaigns to improve behaviour towards reptiles and reduce threats

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Use signage to warn motorists about wildlife presence

    A before-and-after study in 2008–2010 on coastal roads on the Caribbean Sea side of Dominica (Knapp et al. 2016) found that using road signs and running an awareness campaign reduced lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima road mortality by half. After putting up road signs and running an awareness campaign, lesser Antillean iguana road mortality reduced by approximately 50% (0.3 fatal collisions/day) on coastal roads compared to beforehand (0.6 fatal collisions/day). An awareness campaign about protecting iguanas was carried out in May 2008–June 2010. On 1 July 2009, road signs asking people to slow for iguanas were put up on coastal roads near known nesting locations (see original paper for details). The campaign included lectures at schools, presentations to government employees, radio and television interviews and distributing bumper stickers across the island asking people to slow down for iguanas. Two coastal road segments (11–29 km long) were surveyed for iguanas during the nesting season from April 2008–June 2010, 122 days before signs were put up and 94 days afterwards.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

  2. Use education and/or awareness campaigns to improve behaviour towards reptiles and reduce threats

    A before-and-after study in 2008–2010 on coastal roads on the Caribbean Sea side of Dominica (Knapp et al. 2016) found that running an awareness campaign and using road signs reduced lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima road mortality by half. After running an awareness campaign and putting up road signs to reduce driver speeds, lesser Antillean iguana road mortality reduced by 50% (0.3 fatal collisions/day) on coastal roads compared to beforehand (0.6 fatal collisions/day). An awareness campaign about protecting iguanas was carried out in May 2008–June 2010. The campaign included lectures at schools, presentations to government employees, radio and television interviews and distributing bumper stickers across the island asking people to slow down for iguanas. On 1 July 2009, road signs asking people to slow for iguanas were put up on coastal roads near known nesting locations (see original paper for details). Two coastal road segments (11–29 km long) were surveyed for iguanas every other day during the nesting season from April 2008–June 2010 (on 122 days before signs were put up and on 94 days afterwards).

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

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