Restoring Mona Island: Hope for Puerto Rican Biodiversity
Mona Island, Puerto Rico is a key nesting ground for endangered species–but it’s in danger! Read about our project to protect this beautiful, biodiverse island.
Tag: Puerto Rico
Disappearing Bird Species’ Nesting Debut on Desecheo NWR
Audubon’s Shearwaters are nesting on Desecheo Island for the first time ever! Read about how we used social attraction to bring them home.
Restoring Desecheo: Social Attraction Success for the Audubon’s Shearwater
A new article in Caribbean Ornithology heralds the success of one of our most exciting restoration projects: Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico!
$33 Million Allocated for Seabird Restoration
A new plan to restore seabird habitats in areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon disaster includes invasive species removal.
Removing Invasive Species from Mona Island, Puerto Rico will help Critically Endangered Iguana thrive again
The Mona Iguana (Cyclura stejnegeri) is a Critically Endangered species of lizard found only on Mona Island, Puerto Rico. It is a large, ground-dwelling lizard that grows up to three feet in length and can live up to 40 years. This reptile is gray in color with dark mottling and a yellowish-orange tail. It feeds […]
The Monito Gecko: Little Lizard, Big Success
The Monito Gecko becomes the first Caribbean endemic species to be delisted under the Endangered Species Act. By: Cielo Figuerola When observed from the air, Monito Island looks like a dot in the Caribbean Sea. You would have to continuously zoom in on any map just to see where it is. Only 5km apart from Mona […]
Research Highlights the Impact of Invasive Rats on Forest Vegetation
Recent research demonstrates the adverse impacts invasive rats have on forest habitats and native plant species in Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. Invasive rats are notorious for their adverse effects on island ecosystems. They harm the well-being of a myriad of native plants and animals. Despite this, little is known about their specific impacts on the vegetation of forest habitats […]
Social Attraction—Bringing Seabirds Back to Desecheo Island
Desecheo Island restoration takes another step forward as U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Island Conservation, and Effective Environmental Restoration set up decoys and sound systems to bring seabirds back to the island. On rocky outcrops on the southwestern side of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico two new decoy colonies of Bridled Terns have been set […]
The Compounding Threats of Invasive Species on the Mona Iguana
Island Conservation Restoration Specialist, Cielo Figuerola shares the success and conservation challenges of saving the Mona Island Iguana from invasive plants and animals. Invasive mammals including mice, rats, feral cats, and pigs are among the greatest threats to island wildlife, but invasive plants also play a concerning role in the decline of species. On Mona […]
Scaling Up in Island Conservation: Research and Lessons Learned
New publication features research by Island Conservation and partners on lessons learned in conservation. In 2017, at the third Island Invasives Conference, held in Dundee, Scotland, Island Conservation staff and experts in the field of invasive species management came together to discuss the successes, failures, and lessons learned from restoration. Island Conservation staff members gave […]