Cabritos Island is a 1,593 hectare island located within Lago Enriquillo, a saltwater lake forty-four meters below sea level in the western Dominican Republic. The lake is the lowest point in the Caribbean and the largest lake in the insular Caribbean. The island is made up of ancient seabed; fossilized coral and seashells cover the ground in some places. The area is reputed to be the hottest and driest part of the country.

Cabritos Island is home to two species of iguana: the Critically Endangered Ricord’s Iguana and the Vulnerable Rhinoceros Iguana. Invasive species present on the island, including feral cats and burros, threaten iguana populations by eating their young, destroying iguana nests, and damaging critical habitat.

Read the blog post here

You can join us today in removing every last invasive predator from this fantastic island to protect the threatened iguanas, and restore the islands natural systems! Together, the DR’s , Island Conservation, and SOH Conservation are leading the charge to rid Cabritos Island and it’s iguanas of invasive species—but we can’t do it without you!

Our goal is to raise $22,000 by February 1, 2016 to save the Critically Endangered Ricord’s Iguana and Vulnerable Rhinoceros Iguana. By continuing removal of invasive species from Cabritos Island. This funding will be put directly on the ground to purchase supplies and feed our Dominican field team as they battle the scorching temperatures, avoid the crocodiles, and remove invasive species—all to save these wondrous and wild iguanas who, without your help, could be lost forever. Over the next several months we’ll be reaching out to conservation heroes like you, the queens and “kings of all wild things”, to amplify this “wild rumpus”. You can join the campaign by donating directly (all gifts support the Cabritos Island Restoration Project or by becoming an ambassador for the campaign and sharing with your friends, family, and colleagues.