Isla Cabritos Restoration Project, Dominican Republic...is the lowest point in the Caribbean and the largest lake in the insular Caribbean. The island is made up of ancient seabed,

PROJECT MISSION

To provide safe breeding habitat for iguanas and other threatened species on Isla Cabritos by removing invasive species.

PROJECT VISION

Isla Cabritos’ iguana population and native wildlife are thriving.

THE PROBLEM

Invasive species destroy iguana nests, eat their young, and damage critical habitat.

THE SOLUTION

The removal of invasive species from Isla Cabritos will safeguard and protect endemic iguana populations and allow the opportunity for the habitat to recover.

THE PARTNERSHIP

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, with support from Island Conservation and SOH Conservation, is leading an international effort to restore Isla Cabritos by removing invasive species.

Isla Cabritos Restoration Project, Dominican Republic

Isla Cabritos is a 1,593 hectare island located within Lago Enriquillo, a salt water lake 44 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.

WHY IS ISLA CABRITOS IMPORTANT?

• SUPPORTS THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED RICORD’S 

IGUANA AND VULNERABLE RHINOCEROS IGUANA

• CORE OF THE UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE (2ND LARGEST IN THE 

CARIBBEAN), 1ST RAMSAR SITE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, AND AN 

IMPORTANT BIRD AREA

ISLA CABRITOS RESTORATION PROJECT

Isla Cabritos is home to two species of iguana: the Critically Endangered Ricord’s Iguana and 

Vulnerable Rhinoceros Iguana. Invasive species present on the island, including invasive cats and 

donkeys, threaten iguana populations by eating their young, destroying iguana nests, and damaging 

critical habitat. The removal of these invasive species will protect the iguana populations from the 

threat of extinction, particularly the Ricord’s Iguana, and provide the opportunity for the island’s 

natural ecosystem to recover.

Island Conservation and SOH Conservation are supporting the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of 

Environment and Natural Resources in leading an international effort to restore Isla Cabritos by 

removing invasive species. To date, significant progress has been made, but complete removal of 

invasive species is necessary to protect native iguanas and to restore and maintain biodiversity on Isla 

Cabritos. 

PROTECTING A CARIBBEAN OASIS

1. RICORD’S IGUANA This Critically Endangered species is one of the most endangered lizards in the world. The Ricord’s Iguana survives as three subpopulations within the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve in southwestern Dominican Republic. The wild population, estimated at between 2,000 and 4,000 individuals, continues to decline due to invasive species and loss of habitat. 2. RHINOCEROS IGUANA Current estimates for the Vulnerable Rhinoceros Iguana are between 10,000 and 17,000 animals, of which about 10 subpopulations occur in the Dominican Republic. In most areas, these iguanas exist in low densities and are declining due to invasive species and human pressure on their habitat.

3. INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED Isla Cabritos was declared a National Park in in 1974. In 1996 Lake Enriquillo was added to create the Lake Enriquillo and Isla Cabritos National Park.The 20,000 hectare protected area is one of the core zones of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a designated Ramsar site, and an Important Bird Area.

4. CONSERVATION ACTION ON CABRITOS Since the island achieved National Park status, the iguana species on Isla Cabritos have benefited from protective management and natural habtiat regeneration. However, the persistence of invasive species on the island continues to threaten the long-term survival of these threatened animals.

5. LOCAL SUPPORT A local field team from the Dominican Republic was assembled and trained in removal techniques for the Isla Cabritos Restoration Project. Through this, the team has developed extensive knowledge and gained experience in invasive species removal techniques, building capacity for future projects in the region.