Galápagos pink land iguana

(Conolophus marthae)
Conservation and management plan 2022–2027
Edited by Danny Rueda, Paula A. Castaño, Karl J. Campbell, Giuliano
Colosimo, Glenn P. Gerber, Patricia León, Washington Tapia, Gabriele Gentile

INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

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Galápagos pink land iguana
(Conolophus marthae)
Conservation and management plan 2022–2027
Galápagos pink land iguana
(Conolophus marthae)
Conservation and management plan 2022–2027
Edited by Danny Rueda, Paula A. Castaño, Karl J. Campbell, Giuliano
Colosimo, Glenn P. Gerber, Patricia León, Washington Tapia, Gabriele Gentile

iii
The designation of geographical entities in this book, Published by: IUCN, Gland, Switzerland
and the presentation of the material, do not imply the
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expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN
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Development Agency (AFD); Ministry of Environment,
Citation: Rueda, D., Castaño, P. A., Campbell, K. J.,
Republic of Korea; Ministry of the Environment, Climate and
Colosimo, G., Gerber, G. P., León, P., Tapia, W., Gentile,
Sustainable Development, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg;
G. (Eds.). (2023). Galápagos pink land iguana (Conolophus
the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
marthae): Conservation and management plan 2022–2027.
(Norad); the Swedish International Development
Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
Cooperation Agency (Sida); the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United States ISBN: 978-2-8317-2240-5 (PDF)
Department of State.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2305/TNOP5832
This publication has been made possible through funding
Contributors: See list of workshop participants, pp. 27
from Re:wild.

Cover photo: Galápagos pink land iguana (Conolophus

marthae) on Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island. © Joshua Vela,
Galápagos Conservancy

Back cover photos: Galápagos pink land iguana males.

© Giuliano Colosimo (top and bottom), Gabriele Gentile
(center), Tor Vergata University of Rome

Layout by: Tandora D. Grant

Production editor: Tandora D. Grant

iv
Table of contents

Foreword vii
Executive summary viii
Acknowledgement and credits x

Introduction 1
Taxonomy 1
Distribution 1
Population information 1
Species habitat and ecology 2
Use and trade 3
Threats 4
Conservation status 5

Vision and general objective 6

Vision 6
General objective 6

Priority conservation strategies and activities 7

Priority 1: Invasive species control and filling in key knowledge gaps 7
Activity 1. Establish basic infrastructure on Wolf Volcano facilitating field work related
to all prioritised strategies 7
Activity 2. Identify and record the exact location of Galápagos pink land iguana nesting
sites on Wolf Volcano using transmitters, camera traps, and field observation. Monitor
throughout the year to determine the reproductive phenology of the species 8
Strategy 1. Manage invasive species (feral cats, rodents) at levels that allow the natural
recruitment of Galápagos pink land iguanas on Wolf Volcano 8
Strategy 2: Fill knowledge gaps 9
Indicators to evaluate success of priority 1 strategies 10
Priority 2: Establish a headstart programme 10
Strategy 3. Establish an initial headstart programme of pink land iguanas that are in
good health and present adequate behaviour to survive in the wild 10
Priority 3: Strategies and activities to consider implementing (not necessarily in the
order presented below) beyond year 5 of this plan if priority 1 and 2 activities do not
yield expected results 11
Strategy 4. Establish a captive breeding and rearing programme for pink land iguanas to
supplement the populations of pink land iguanas in the wild 11

v
 Strategy 5. Establish at least one second healthy and self-sustaining population of
Galápagos pink land iguanas in the wild on the Galápagos Islands outside of
Wolf Volcano 12
Strategy 6. Use of cryogenics (preservation of fibroblast cell lines for future cloning or
stem cell technology) 13
Priority conservation strategies and activities – overview 14

Communication strategy 18

Estimated budget 19

Bibliography 21

Appendices 23
Appendix 1 Full current assessment from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ 23
Appendix 2 Workshop participants 23–25 August 2021 27

vi
Foreword

The conservation of the Galápagos Archipelago, a natural heritage of humanity, is a

priority for the Government of the Republic of Ecuador. Proof of this, the Ministry of the
Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, through the Galápagos National Park
(GNP), convened a series of experts in reptile conservation to provide advice on the
development of an action plan to prioritise and coordinate the efforts for the conservation
and management of the pink land iguana of Galápagos.

This species is classified as Critically Endangered by The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species™ because its current distribution is restricted to a small area (approximately 25
km2) on the slopes of an active volcano in northern Isabela Island. The most recent studies
show few individuals from a mature population with very poor natural recruitment.

The plan for their conservation, prepared by the experts and the GNP park rangers, seeks
to establish a comprehensive long-term programme for these reptiles, which facilitates their
recovery and permanence in nature, prioritising a set of strategies that will be addressed
between 2022 and 2027.

I am pleased that the Galápagos National Park can work together with scientific and
conservation entities to have first-class advice and practical strategies implemented
locally under the leadership of our park rangers. This powerful and effective combination
is an example of how Ecuador and the world join efforts to protect the best-preserved
archipelago in the world.

The Galápagos pink land iguana, particularly charismatic, as it could be described as a

‘pink dinosaur’, has become an icon of the efforts to restore and care for our Enchanted
Islands.

From the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, we are committed
not only to the protection of species such as the pink land iguana, but also to restoring their
habitat so that they can survive without human intervention. We have a great challenge:
to restore the Wolf Volcano to leave it for the next generations in a better state than we
received it! We believe it is possible; I invite you to join us in implementing this plan together.

Gustavo Manrique

Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador

vii
Executive summary

The Galápagos pink land iguana (Conolophus marthae) is categorised as Critically

Endangered by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The entire distribution of
pink iguanas is within the protected area of the Galápagos National Park (GNP), which
is managed by the Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), the legal authority
regulating and protecting the biological diversity of the Galápagos Islands. The
geographic area where the Galápagos pink land iguanas persist is not easily accessible;
only GNP park rangers and scientists with the appropriate permits have access.

A single, known wild population of Galápagos pink iguanas exists. The current estimated
population size is approximately 300 individuals (95% CI 269.60–372.31). This extremely small
population is prone to both demographic and genetic stochasticity, as well as environmental
impacts (volcanic eruptions, drought, etc.) that could extirpate the entire population.

Predation, by invasive alien species (feral cats and rodents) may contribute to the current
population’s age distribution being skewed towards adults (i.e., there is a lack of natural
recruitment). Feral cats (Felis catus) and black rats (Rattus rattus) are among the main
threats to pink land iguanas; black rats can prey on hatchlings, while feral cats likely prey
on hatchlings and juvenile iguanas. Feral cats are known to prey on other Galápagos land
iguanas up to three or four years of age. Pink land iguanas of this age have not been found
in the wild, suggesting that the impact of feral cats on pink iguana recruitment is extremely
high (Gentile, 2012).

Volcanic eruptions are also an imminent threat for pink land iguanas, due to their restricted
distribution. The latest eruptions of Wolf Volcano occurred in May 2015 and January 2022,
with lava flows occurring on the eastern and south-eastern slopes of the volcano (NASA,
2017; https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/eruption-of-wolf-volcano-Galápagos-islands).
Fortunately, neither eruption significantly impacted the population of pink land iguanas,
which occur on the northwest slopes of Wolf Volcano.

Droughts could also pose a threat for pink land iguanas and may contribute to the
population’s low recruitment if soil moisture, in some years, is insufficient for successful
incubation of eggs and successful development of hatchlings. Breeding, in most
terrestrial Galápagos species including land iguanas, is heavily associated with rain, and
availability of food resources. Therefore, severe drought years, which could become more
frequent due to climate change, can severely affect the size of such a small population of
aging adults.

There are still some gaps in knowledge regarding the biology and ecology of the species.
However, the information available is sufficient to develop an action plan that allows
prioritising and defining the efforts necessary to conserve and manage the species.
The GNPD and its partners are clear that this very vulnerable species, with no evidence
of natural recruitment, requires urgent attention to prevent its aging population from
becoming extinct. Hence, to develop the plan, the GNPD convened a multidisciplinary
group of scientists, experts, and park rangers to a consultation process through

viii
 interviews and a workshop held in Puerto Ayora, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, from 23 to
25 August 2021.

This conservation and management plan (2022–2027) has the vision to ensure the long-
term survival of Galápagos pink land iguanas in the wild, and as a general objective to
establish a comprehensive conservation programme for Galápagos pink land iguanas that
facilitates their recovery and persistence in the wild. The plan prioritises a set of strategies
that will be addressed in the time frame set for this. Section three includes an overview
of each strategy. This plan is established in phases and presents key decision points in
which the results of the previous phase are analysed prior to the implementation of the
next phase.

Phase one has two priority strategies: invasive predator control and filling knowledge
gaps. In years one and two, invasive predator control activities will be implemented and
monitored. At the beginning of year three, results from monitoring will show if invasive
predator control has been sufficient to restore the population of pink land iguanas. If
not, priority two activities will begin, by establishing an initial headstart programme for
pink land iguanas. Predator control and research to fill knowledge gaps will continue
in years three to five, but priority two actions will begin, in order to complement efforts.
Experiences from phase one will feed into decisions and management of phase two. After
year five, depending on results obtained so far, other strategies will also be evaluated.
These are captured here so they can be evaluated in the future. This phased approach
aims to be cost effective by escalating in complexity and expense only if required.

Guardaparques del Parque Nacional

Galápagos realizan actividades de
monitoreo de la población de iguanas
terrestres rosadas en el Volcán Wolf.
Foto por © Dirección del Parque
Nacional Galápagos

ix
Acknowledgements
and credits
This plan is the product of a participatory process, which included: a review of the available
literature, an exhaustive interview process, and a workshop that was held in Puerto Ayora in
August 2021. The ideas raised in this plan were discussed and agreed to in the workshop
and belong collectively to all those who participated in it. This plan would not have been
possible without the ideas and expertise of all who participated in this process, and who
are listed in alphabetical order below.

• Wilson Cabrera, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Karl J. Campbell, Re:wild, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Victor Carrión, Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Jorge Carrión, Galápagos Conservancy, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Paula A. Castaño, Island Conservation, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Giuliano Colosimo, Biology Department, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy,
and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA, USA
• Joe Flanagan, Houston Zoo, Houston, TX, USA
• Gerardo Garcia, Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, United Kingdom
• Gabriele Gentile, Biology Department, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
• Glenn P. Gerber, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA, USA
• James Gibbs, Galápagos Conservancy, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Diana Gil, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Christopher Jordan, Re:wild, Austin, TX, USA
• Greg Lewbart, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
• Patricia León, Re:wild, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Andrea Loyola, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Cruz Márquez, Consultant, Quito, and Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Manuel Masaquiza, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Máximo Mendoza, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Russell A. Mittermeier, Re:wild, Austin, TX, USA
• Luis Ortiz-Catedral, The World Parrot Trust, Auckland, New Zealand
• Johannes Ramírez, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Harry Reyes, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Christian Sevilla, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Washington Tapia, Galápagos Conservancy, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
• Lina M. Valencia, Re:wild, Austin, TX, USA
• Freddy Villalva, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador

x
A few workshop participants oversaw the capture and recording of all contents and
discussions occurring during the workshop and organised the outcomes into this plan. The
content of this plan has been edited and revised to ensure it complies with IUCN standards.

The Galápagos National Park Directorate wants to acknowledge and thank Re:wild, who
provided funding for the workshop and publication of this document, for their support.

Edited by Danny Rueda1, Paula A. Castaño2, Karl J. Campbell3, Giuliano Colosimo4,5,

Glenn P. Gerber5, Patricia León3, Washington Tapia6, Gabriele Gentile4

Galápagos National Park Directorate, Charles Darwin Avenue, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador;
1

Island Conservation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador; 3Re:wild, Charles
2

Darwin Avenue, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador; 4Biology Department, Tor Vergata University of
Rome, Rome, Italy; 5San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA
92027, USA; 6Galápagos Conservancy, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador

Participants of the workshop “Galápagos Pink Land Iguana Conservation and Management
Plan 2022–2027”, held 23–25 August 2021 in Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador.
Photo © Galápagos National Park Directorate

xi
Introduction

Taxonomy

Land iguana individuals with an anomalous “pink” colouration (“rosada” in Spanish) were first
observed in 1986 by GNPD rangers and Charles Darwin Research Station staff patrolling the
remote west slope and summit of Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island (Pierson & Durham, 2009;
Márquez et al., 2010). However, it was not until 2009 that the species was fully described as a
separate Galápagos land iguana species and identified with the name of Conolophus marthae
(Gentile & Snell, 2009). First molecular phylogenetic analysis suggested that pink land iguanas
diverged from all other land iguana lineages (C. pallidus and C. subcristatus) approximately 5.7
million years ago. Such dates were later revisited and the split between the lineages was set at
about 1.5 million years ago, a time that predates the emergence of Isabela Island (Geist et al.,
2005; Geist et al., 2014; MacLeod et al., 2015). Additionally, more detailed taxonomy studies
indicate that C. marthae has less gene richness and heterozygosity when compared to C.
subcristatus. Preliminary genetic studies showed that although C. marthae and C. subcristatus
are sympatric (sensu Rivas, 1964) on Wolf Volcano and share 26% of alleles, none of the pink
individuals investigated incorporated genes from the congeneric yellow land iguanas, at least
in the past two generations, and only one yellow individual was suspected of possible mixed
ancestry with a pink land iguana (Gentile et al., 2009). Further genetic studies clarified that the
two species do not currently hybridise, nor over the last two generations, although it may have
occurred in the more distant past (Di Giambattista et al., 2018).

Distribution

The current distribution of pink land iguanas covers approximately 16 km2 on Wolf Volcano (G.
Colosimo, pers. comm., 2021 estimate), Isabela Island in the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador
(see map). Pink land iguanas occur along the north-west slopes of Wolf Volcano, in an area
ranging from 600–1,700 m asl (Gentile et al., 2016). A more recent monitoring of individuals
using remote tracking technology (Loreti et al., 2020), suggests that most iguanas seem to have
a small range. Some migrate to lower altitudes (between 500–600 m asl), while some others
also visit the area inside the caldera (Gentile, 2021) – a behaviour never recorded previously.

Population information

A single known wild population of Galápagos pink land iguanas exists. The current estimated
population size is approximately 300 individuals (95% CI 270–372). This estimate is based on a
long-term capture-mark-recapture study encompassing a time frame of over 10 years (2006–
2021; Colosimo et al., 2021). The population of pink land iguanas lacks natural recruitment,
presumably due to predation by feral cats. The sex ratio appears biased towards males, a trait
shared with other species of Galápagos land iguanas. Gentile and collaborators estimated an
effective population size (Ne) from genetic analyses, using samples of different sizes, performed
in 2005, 2006 (pooled), and 2009. These results showed an Ne of 72.6 for 2005–2006, and
for 2009 an Ne of 98.5, representing only one-third to one-fifth of the effective population size
of Wolf Volcano’s yellow land iguana population (Ne = 280 for 2005–2006 and Ne = 347.4 for
2009; Gentile, 2021).

1
Galápagos pink land iguana (Conolophus marthae) distribution. Main: The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Water depth
data is downloaded from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO; https://download.gebco.net). Elevation
data (30 meters, from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission-SRTM) is downloaded from the web application available at
https://dwtkns.com/srtm30m/. The red square in the northern part of Isabela Island focuses on Wolf Volcano.
Inset: Close up of Wolf Volcano’s caldera (~1,700 m asl). The shaded area corresponds to the minimum convex polygon
(16.22 km2) obtained from available field observation of Conolophus marthae. Map © Giuliano Colosimo

Species habitat and ecology

Galápagos pink land iguanas live in syntopy (sensu Rivas, 1964) with congeneric C.
subcristatus. Conolophus subcristatus inhabit areas surrounding and within the habitat of C.
marthae, and their population size is much larger. Preliminary habitat observations indicate
that areas surrounding pink land iguana habitat are ecologically distinct from the core area
inhabited by this species, suggesting the ecological requirements for pink land iguanas may
not be met outside this core area (Gentile et al., 2016). Refined studies of the diet of the two
species are currently ongoing. The use of stable isotope ratio analysis of carbon and nitrogen
indicated that fractionation profiles are different for the two species, with yellow land iguanas
showing larger variance in the 13
C profile than pink land iguanas. This evidence is consistent
with yellow iguanas having a more generalist diet than pink iguanas (Gentile, 2021).

Across the altitudinal distribution of C. marthae, there are different types of vegetation with
tropical dry shrubland at the top of the volcano and tropical dry forest along the slopes
(Rivas-Torres, 2018).

2
 Reproductive biology of C. marthae continues to be poorly understood. Up to 2021,
no nesting areas have been identified for the species, but preliminary GPS tracking
results from 2021 suggest gravid females nest inside the caldera (G. Colosimo et al.,
unpublished data). Studies of reproductive biology based on a combination of hormonal
and ultrasound analyses, conducted in 2010 and 2014 (Gentile et al., 2016; Onorati et al.,
2016), demonstrated that C. subcristatus and C. marthae show almost contemporaneous
sexual activity at the end of the rainy season (April–June) on Wolf Volcano. Nonetheless,
such activity does not result in high numbers of reproductive pink land iguana females.
While these studies made it possible to determine a specific reproductive season for C.
subcristatus, it was not possible to exclude that pink land iguanas may also reproduce
opportunistically (Onorati et al., 2016). Ultrasonographic analyses performed on females
of both species in subsequent field trips since 2015, showed quiescent ovaries with
several anechoic spherical structures, suggesting that no reproductive activity exists from
July through November. Onorati et al. (2016) showed a clutch size equal to 5.4 ± 1.5 eggs
for C. marthae, smaller than the clutch size of C. subcristatus from Wolf Volcano (8.4
± 3.4), and much smaller than the known size for C. subcristatus on Fernandina Island
(7–23 eggs; Werner, 1982). Head bobbing behaviour in male C. marthae – important
for mating – is very distinctive and completely different from the syntopic species C.
subcristatus, potentially acting as a behavioural barrier to hybridisation.

Average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of captured pink land iguanas observed is 46.8 cm,
with males being significantly larger than females. Pink land iguana males can reach an
SVL of at least 57.5 cm and a mass of 8 kg, while females can reach an SVL of 49.4
cm and a mass of 5.8 kg (Marquez et al., 2010). The SVL of the smallest subadult male
Galápagos pink land iguana captured was 37.3 cm, which is the average size of a seven-
year-old yellow land iguana (Gentile, 2012). The species holotype (an adult male) weighed
5 kg and had an SVL of 47 cm (Gentile & Snell, 2009).

The only native predator for the species in their current habitat is the Galápagos hawk
(Buteo galapagoensis; Gentile et al., 2016), which can feed on hatchling and juvenile
iguanas. The diet of Galápagos pink land iguanas is made up of both native and
introduced plant species, including shrubs (48%), herbs (~37%), and grasses and cacti
(Arteaga & Guayasamin, 2019). However, a complete dietary analysis is still pending.

Use and trade

No current or historical human use is known for the species. Pink land iguanas, along with
all three other species of iguanas in Galápagos, are included in the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™ and are protected under
Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES). Galápagos is not immune to illegal wildlife trafficking. In 2012, a German
tourist was arrested at the Baltra airport in Galápagos for trying to illegally smuggle four
yellow land iguanas out of the province. Molecular tools, with early genetic characterisation,

3
proved to be crucial for determining the provenance of those individuals in a timely manner,
facilitating their repatriation to the wild. More recently, on 28 March 2021, a police officer
was caught trying to smuggle 185 baby giant tortoises at the Baltra airport. Although no
illegal trade issues have been observed in Galápagos with pink land iguana, Gabriele
Gentile reported that in the CITES database there is evidence of an export permit issued
for C. marthae in 2010 from Mali to Switzerland for two live individuals declared as obtained
from captivity. The Galápagos National Park Directorate and the Ecuadorian Ministry of
Environment have never issued CITES export permits for live pink land iguana specimens
or eggs. It is clear that, in the absence of an original CITES export permit issued by
Ecuadorian Authorities, any other such document has to be regarded as illegally produced.

Threats

The pink land iguana population is extremely small and prone to both demographic and
genetic stochasticity, as well as environmental impacts (volcanic eruptions, drought, etc.)
that could extirpate the entire population. Although no live F1 hybrids have been found
during annual surveys conducted since 2005 (Gentile et al., 2016) and hybridisation is not
ongoing at present, hybridisation is context dependent and the potential for hybridisation
could change under different environmental or demographic conditions. Consequently,
genetic monitoring of newly captured individuals of the two species on Wolf Volcano should
not be interrupted. In fact, due to the pink land iguana’s small population size, rare events of
hybridisation could have a significant effect on the species.

The overlap with yellow land iguanas can also lead to competition for resources, including
nesting locations, impacting the species’ reproduction and long-term survival. This, coupled
with predation by invasive alien species (feral cats and rodents), may contribute to the
current population’s age distribution being skewed towards adults (i.e., there is a lack of
natural recruitment). Feral cats (Felis catus) and black rats (Rattus rattus) are among the
main threats to pink land iguanas; black rats may prey on hatchlings, while feral cats likely
prey on hatchlings and juvenile iguanas. Studies conducted on Wolf Volcano in 2022 have
demonstrated the presence of pink land iguana remains in feral cats’ stomach contents (V.
Carrión, pers. comm., 2022). Feral cats prey on other Galápagos land iguanas up to three or
four years of age. Pink land iguanas of this age have not been found in the wild, suggesting
that the impact of feral cats on pink land iguana recruitment is extremely high (Gentile, 2012).

Volcanic eruptions are also an imminent threat for pink land iguanas, due to their restricted
distribution. The latest eruptions of Wolf Volcano occurred in January 2022 and May 2015,
with lava flows occurring on the eastern and south-eastern slopes of the volcano (NASA,
2017; https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/eruption-of-wolf-volcano-Galápagos-islands).
Fortunately, neither eruption significantly impacted the population of pink land iguanas,
which occur on the northwest slopes of Wolf Volcano. Volcanic eruptions have been
suggested as a potential cause of extinction for populations of C. subcristatus on Chico
Volcano on the eastern side of Sierra Negra Volcano (Snell, 1984).

4
 Droughts could also pose a threat for pink land iguanas and may contribute to the population’s
low recruitment if soil moisture in some years is insufficient for successful incubation and de-
velopment of eggs. Breeding, in most terrestrial Galápagos species, including land iguanas, is
heavily associated with rain and availability of food resources. Therefore, during severe drought
years, breeding could cease completely, or hatchlings and juveniles may have poor survival.

Parasites (internal and external) could also pose a threat for a species whose population
is highly reduced and with low genetic diversity. However, preliminary results from a health
assessment conducted on 41 adult wild individuals, suggests that the population (or at least
those individuals) is clinically healthy, despite high tick loads and levels of hemoparasite (he-
mogregarines) infection (Colosimo et al., 2022).

Conservation status

Galápagos pink land iguanas are categorised as Critically Endangered by The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species™. The entire distribution of pink land iguanas is located within the GNP pro-
tected area, administered by the GNPD. The GNPD is the legal authority governing the National
Park and protecting biological diversity of the Galápagos Islands. All three land iguana species
are included in the GNPD’s Management of Native and Endemic Species Program. The GNPD
undertakes major campaigns to control and remove invasive alien species in the Galápagos, in-
cluding the major threats to this species (i.e., feral cats and rodents). GNPD management efforts
have resulted in the successful removal of feral goats from northern Isabela, protecting pink land
iguanas and their habitat. Similar efforts resulted in the removal of feral goats, donkeys, and pigs
from Santiago Island, enabling yellow land iguanas (C. subcristatus) to be reintroduced in 2019,
more than 200 years after their extirpation. Feral cat eradication was achieved on Baltra Island
in 2004 (Phillips et al., 2005; Carrion et al., 2008), where the C. subcristatus population was
almost wiped out by these introduced predators and other impacts such as the US military base
(Woram, 1991; W. Tapia, pers. comm.). Yellow land iguanas eventually recovered, following the
removal of feral cats, with population supplementation from a captive breeding and headstart
programme. Additionally, rodent eradication has been achieved on 13 islands in the Archipelago,
resulting in the first recorded survival of hatchling Pinzón giant tortoises (Chelonoidis duncanen-
sis) in 150 years (Tapia-Aguilera et al., 2015). Eradication of feral cats and invasive rodents from
Wolf Volcano is unfeasible at present; however, innovative tools (e.g., drones) are being trialled to
determine their potential for supporting the control of these invasive alien species.

The geographic area where pink land iguanas occur is not readily accessible; only GNPD rang-
ers and scientists holding appropriate permits have access. Consequently, there are still some
gaps in knowledge regarding the species’ biology and ecology. However, the information avail-
able to date is sufficient to develop an action plan that allows prioritising and defining the efforts
necessary to conserve and manage Galápagos pink land iguanas. For the development of the
plan, the GNPD convened a multidisciplinary group of scientists, experts, and park rangers to
a consultation process through interviews, and then to an in-person workshop held in Puerto
Ayora, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, from 23 to 25 August 2021.

5
Vision and
general objective
Vision
Long-term survival of Galápagos pink land iguanas in the wild.

General objective
Establish a comprehensive conservation programme for Galápagos
pink land iguanas that facilitates their recovery and persistence
in the wild.

A male and female Galápagos pink land iguana (Conolophus marthae) on Wolf Volcano.
Photo © Gabriele Gentile

6
Priority conservation
strategies and activities
To establish a comprehensive conservation programme for pink land
iguanas that facilitates their recovery and persistence in the wild, a set of
strategies were prioritised to be implemented during 2022–2027 (duration
of this action plan). An overview of each strategy is included below.

It is important to highlight that this plan is established by priorities and

presents key decision points in which the results of the previous priority
are analysed prior to the implementation of the next priority or strategy.
Further, it details the next priority to be implemented and allows for
incorporation of lessons learned.

Priority 1
Invasive species control and filling in key knowledge gaps

Activity 1
Establish basic infrastructure on Wolf Volcano facilitating field work related to all prioritised
strategies.

Field activities on Wolf Volcano are limited by several factors; it is a remote location that can be accessed
only via strenuous hiking (15 hours or more) on steep, rocky terrain. Alternatively, the area of interest can
be accessed via helicopter, however, transportation of provisions to the volcano, especially fresh water, is
extremely expensive and there is no basic infrastructure that could provide support for any field activity. These
factors are an important limitation for the time that park rangers and scientists can remain in the area, and
therefore limit the observation, study, and management of the species. Therefore, in the first six months, basic
infrastructure will be established on Wolf Volcano to collect water and for field crews to sleep on a raised
platform that protects against the elements. This activity will require following the established biosecurity
protocols of the Galápagos Biosecurity Agency and Galápagos National Park to prevent incursion of new
invasive species to the area.

7
 Activity 2
Identify and record the exact location of Galápagos pink land iguana nesting sites on Wolf Volcano
using transmitters, camera traps, and field observation. Monitor throughout the year to determine
the reproductive phenology of the species.

One of the priorities identified to preserve the species is to locate the nesting ground(s) of female C. marthae.
Once identified, these key areas will be protected against invasive species. Identification of the nesting
ground(s) will also provide the opportunity to collect hatchlings and initiate a headstart programme. Moreover,
data collected will help the implementation of additional management actions (such as a captive breeding and
rearing programme – strategy 4).

As part of this strategy, basic infrastructure will be established on Wolf Volcano. This will allow the prolonged
presence of GNPD personnel and collaborating scientists to fill priority information gaps about pink land
iguana reproductive biology and ecology. Our approach will be initiated by marking observed Galápagos pink
land iguana nests, and complemented by GPS transmitters and an established network of camera traps to
register the reproductive parameters and timing of hatchling emergence and demonstrate any impact that
feral cats and rodents may have on the species. Once nests are identified, data loggers to record incubation
temperatures and other environmental conditions will be placed in nest chambers. This, coupled with the
weather stations deployed at Wolf Volcano, will allow us to determine if environmental conditions such as
drought are impacting the species’ incubation and hatching success. Enclosures can be put up to protect
hatchlings emerging from nests, and field personnel will excavate nests after emergence to determine
hatching success rates and other parameters.

Habitat usage will also be investigated in the two syntopic species (C. subcristatus and C. marthae) to clarify
for what resources the two species might be in competition. Census population size assessments will also be
conducted according to an established and unified protocol.

The activities described here will be carried out at the same time as the invasive species control actions are
implemented during the first, second, and third year of this plan.

Strategy 1
Manage invasive species (feral cats, rodents) at levels that allow the natural recruitment of
Galápagos pink land iguanas on Wolf Volcano.

Feral cats and invasive rodents are among the main threats for pink land iguanas on Wolf Volcano. Feral cats
are known to prey on hatchlings and juvenile pink iguanas (up to the third year), while black rats could prey on
eggs, hatchlings, and nibble adult pink land iguanas’ tails.

Under this plan, the management of invasive species at Wolf Volcano will focus on the control of rodents
and feral cats as eradication is currently unfeasible with available technologies due to the size of Isabela
Island (4,588 km2) where Wolf Volcano is located, and the complexity associated with non-target species. To
increase the area protected for pink land iguanas and increase efficiency and minimise resources to control
invasive predators, innovative tools (e.g., drones) are being trialled to determine their potential for supporting

8
the control of these invasive species. In the meantime, management will consist of identifying a core and buffer
zone on Wolf Volcano where the control actions of the target species (for example, feral cats and rodents) will
be implemented. Within this area, a network of camera traps and bait stations will be installed to monitor the
results of control efforts on target species and non-target species, and based on this, implement adaptive
management to comply with the control strategy and the needs of the species. For example, some ideas
identified during the workshop included expanding control efforts to cover the entire Wolf Volcano to treat this
as an island-within-an-island, using topographic barriers to keep Wolf Volcano free of invasive predators (e.g.,
feral cats).

During the first six months of implementation of this strategy, a risk analysis will be developed for non-target
species that could be impacted as a result of the control actions for feral cats and invasive rodents.

Management of invasive species will be one of the primary conservation priorities for the first 18 months of the
plan. It will be evaluated to determine what adaptive changes must be made to continue with this management
strategy and if the next phase should initiate (e.g., establishing a headstart programme). Additionally,
biosecurity protocols will be strictly enforced to reduce the possibility of new incursions into the core area
where pink land iguanas are found.

Strategy 2
Fill knowledge gaps.

During the first two years, identified knowledge gaps will be filled, including:

• Ecology: 1) Habitat requirements

2) Breeding seasonality, including environmental conditions required for

successful breeding and hatching. Weather monitoring stations (up to
10) located at Wolf Volcano will be utilised. These weather monitoring
stations collect the following variables: ultraviolet radiation index,
temperature, humidity, and precipitation

3) Use of other areas by the species in Wolf Volcano

• Baseline data on the health condition

• Disease screening and surveillance. This assessment will provide valuable data for
determining the potential impact of those diseases or parasites on the species in case of an
outbreak on Wolf Volcano or while in captivity

• Genetic characterisation for management purposes

9
In years three to five, activities to fill knowledge gaps will continue, and they will feed into the adaptive
management decisions of this plan.

*Indicator
Indicators to evaluate success of priority 1 strategies.

The following indicators were established to determine if priority 1 strategies have been successful in restoring
the pink land iguana population on Wolf Volcano:

Galápagos pink land iguana restoration – conduct the actions and measure the resource (e.g., recruitment
indicators should start to increase, such as new age classes being observed in the pink iguana population).

Invasive predator control – the index of abundance of invasive predators (rodents and feral cats) is at least
80% below baseline (i.e., prior to control actions being taken).

Priority 2
Establish a headstart programme

Strategy 3
Establish an initial headstart programme of pink land iguanas that are in good health and present
adequate behaviour to survive in the wild.

Headstarting refers to raising hatchlings and/or eggs collected from the wild in captivity, and subsequently
releasing them back to the wild once they have reached a size that makes them less susceptible to predation
by invasive species (e.g., feral cats, rodents) and native predators in some circumstances (Ferguson et al.,
1982). It is a widely used tool to protect endangered species by increasing survivorship and recruitment.
Headstart programmes are very important in situations where invasive species are driving native and endemic
species to extinction and eradication programmes cannot be implemented altogether or at the scale required.
Headstart programmes can constitute an intermediate remedy to prevent further population declines and to
promote population recovery (Pérez-Buitrago et al., 2008). These programmes have been implemented in
several species of rock iguanas including the Jamaican rock iguana since 1991 and Anegada rock iguana
since 1997 (Pérez-Buitrago et al., 2008).

Success of headstart programmes can be increased by careful design of captive conditions and release
strategies (Alberts, 2007). Programmes can use eggs or hatchlings collected in the wild. For pink land
iguanas, it was determined that headstarting would begin with the collection of hatchlings emerging from
nests, and later if necessary, with the collection of eggs. The implementation of this strategy requires the
establishment of appropriate infrastructure on Santa Cruz Island as it is operationally much easier than
establishing a facility on Wolf Volcano. The identification of nesting areas, individual nests, and nesting
phenology are all essential to implement a successful headstart programme. Weather monitoring stations
deployed at Wolf Volcano will provide weather data necessary to determine the requirements for increased

10
hatchling/juvenile survivorship in the wild and during the captive holding period. In addition, if eggs are to
be harvested, knowledge of the time it would take for eggs to hatch and when they can be successfully
recovered for transport to an incubation facility is needed.

Some considerations raised for the implementation of this strategy are the need to develop a protocol for
the collection and transport of hatchlings and eggs, as well as a captive management protocol that clinically
evaluates the individuals and allows for the implementation of treatment, if necessary, as well as responding to
a possible epidemic within the captive facility. Finally, the implementation of adequate security to prevent illegal
trafficking of the species is needed, since access to the facility would be less restricted than to Wolf Volcano.

Individuals resulting from the headstart programme will be released first at Wolf Volcano, to bolster recruitment
of the only natural wild population of pink land iguanas, and secondarily in a suitable location other than Wolf
Volcano to establish a second viable wild population of pink land iguanas.

Implementation of this strategy and its nuances will occur if the management of invasive species on Wolf
Volcano is insufficient to allow an adequate increase in natural recruitment of the population that ensures the
long-term persistence of the Galápagos pink land iguana in the wild. That is, from the second year onwards of
implementation of this plan.

Priority 3
Strategies and activities to consider implementing (not necessarily in the order presented
below) beyond year 5 of this plan if priority 1 and 2 activities do not yield expected results

Strategy 4
Establish a captive breeding and rearing programme for pink land iguanas to supplement the
populations of pink land iguanas in the wild.

Previous experience with captive breeding of land iguanas exists in Galápagos. A captive breeding
programme was established back in the 1970s to prevent the disappearance of land iguana populations
impacted by feral dogs (Cayot, 2008) in Cerro Cartago on Isabela Island and Conway Bay on Santa Cruz
Island, and to re-establish the locally-extirpated population on Baltra Island in 1991. A population of Baltra
iguanas had survived on Seymour Norte, since researchers in the 1930s had introduced ~70 land iguanas
from Baltra to Seymour Norte to prevent their extinction due to the impacts of goats, feral cats, and human
impacts experienced on Baltra.

Iguanas brought into captivity proved to be more difficult to hold and breed than giant tortoises. This required
field research and experiments to make the programme a success. Primary concerns were related to captive
holding cages for breeding individuals, incubation techniques including temperature and substrate humidity,
and diet (Cayot, 2008).

Considering that for Galápagos pink land iguana the entire distribution is on Wolf Volcano and occurs in an
area ranging from 600–1700 m asl (Gentile et al., 2016), it needs to be determined if the species can adapt to
being in captivity at sea level, where the infrastructure for the captive breeding centre will be established. As

11
the species is Critically Endangered, and therefore each individual (especially females) is valuable, a pilot study
will be implemented using two to three adult males. If successful, for the establishment of a captive breeding
programme, construction of appropriate infrastructure with reproduction and rearing pens is required.
Additionally, the establishment of a captive holding management plan detailing security measures to prevent
access for illegal traffickers, quarantine, disease screening processes, and management is necessary.

Similar to headstarting, individuals resulting from the captive breeding programme will be released first in Wolf
Volcano assuming the invasive species can be controlled, and later in a place outside of Wolf Volcano (e.g., to
establish a second population).

The implementation of this strategy and its different nuances will only occur if the management of invasive
species in Wolf Volcano and the headstart programme with hatchlings or eggs are not enough to allow natural
recruitment of the pink land iguana population that ensures the long-term conservation of the Galápagos pink
land iguanas in the wild. Therefore, activities related to this (e.g., information collection, filling knowledge gaps
that feed this strategy) if they were to be implemented, would begin around year three of this plan.

Strategy 5
Establish at least one additional healthy and self-sustaining population of Galápagos pink land
iguanas in the wild on the Galápagos Islands outside of Wolf Volcano.

Assisted colonisation is the intentional movement and release of an organism outside of its natural geographic
distribution with the aim of preventing the extinction of a species’ population or the whole species (IUCN,
2013). This effort is often implemented where protection from current and future threats can be managed
more appropriately at an alternative site rather than within the species’ current distribution.

Currently, the pink land iguana range is restricted to a small area (16 km2) on an active volcano (Wolf Volcano)
for which the last eruptions occurred in 2022 and 2015 (NASA, 2017). Within the current pink land iguana
range, there are also invasive mammals (e.g., feral cats and rodents) that likely prey heavily on juveniles,
impacting natural population recruitment. Therefore, establishing an additional population on an island where
the main threats (e.g., invasive predators and volcanic activity) are not present could prevent the pink land
iguana’s extinction in the long term. In the Galápagos, there are locations that may fit these criteria (no invasive
predators: e.g., Rabida Island with no invasive feral cats and rodents, and Santiago Island with no feral cats;
both are volcanically inactive). Rabida Island could be a suitable place for establishing a second population
of pink land iguanas, as invasive rodents were successfully removed from the island in 2011 (Campbell et al.,
2013; Rueda et al., 2019) and land iguanas have been detected in subfossil records on the island (Steadman,
1991). However, this island is arid and easily accessible to illegal species trafficking. Santiago’s highlands
could also be a suitable place for reintroduction, although invasive rodents are present. However, feral
cats, the main threat to pink iguanas, are not present. Yellow land iguanas were present in high numbers
on Santiago when Darwin visited the Galápagos Islands and more than 3,000 land iguanas (Conolophus
subcristatus) were reintroduced during 2019–2021. However, Santiago has invasive blackberry (Rubus niveus)
that could make it difficult for the species to access certain areas and, although less than Rabida, it could be
accessible to illegal traffickers. Santiago also has the largest number of Galápagos hawks in the Archipelago,
which are the main native predators of yellow and pink land iguanas on Wolf Volcano.

12
Although pink land iguanas are currently restricted only to Wolf Volcano, their genetics indicate that the
species has been present in the Archipelago much longer than the age of Isabela Island (Gentile et al., 2009),
which could suggest that the species potentially lived at lower altitudes prior to being restricted to Wolf
Volcano. This should be validated by implementing a more detailed analysis of the diet and environmental
requirements for the pink land iguanas. Additionally, it was decided that results from the pilot study conducted
with adult males brought to captive holding, will identify whether the establishment of this species is possible
on other islands of lower altitude (e.g., Rabida, Santiago).

Individuals that could be used for establishing one or more additional populations are individuals that would
result from the headstart and (if needed) captive breeding programmes.

Strategy 6
Use of cryogenics (preservation of fibroblast cell lines for future cloning or stem cell technology).

Establishment of cell lines (including fibroblasts) have been widely used to preserve the genetic material
of many rare and endangered species, including the Bengal tiger (Guan et al., 2010), the jaguar (Mestre-
Citrinovitz et al., 2016), and the Sumatran rhinoceros (Jenuit et al., 2021) although not yet for iguanas. These
cells can be used in the future for cloning or stem cell technology. An example of this is the result of the
black-footed ferret project, where cell lines cryopreserved from a highly genetically diverse wild black-footed
ferret in 1988 led to the birth of the first cloned black-footed ferret in 2020 (Revive & Restore, 2020; https://
reviverestore.org/projects/black-footed-ferret/).

Establishment of cell lines is coupled with cryopreservation techniques that extend the storage of the
established cell lines (Jenuit et al., 2021). Advancements in cryopreservation will ensure the cell line’s indefinite
supply and distribution, prevent genetic and phenotypic instability, delay cell senescence and transformation,
and reduce the risk of contamination. Several considerations must be contemplated before developing a cell
bank, including provenance of the primary culture, quality, characterisation, and authentication of the cell line
(Freshney, 2015).

Cryopreservation of animal cell lines with the highest genetic diversity among pink land iguanas could support
the long-term survival of a healthy population of pink land iguanas.

Due to the current requirements for the shipment of genetic material outside Ecuador, it was determined that
this activity would not fall within the priority conservation actions for the species. However, at least two sites
that may have the necessary infrastructure for the preservation of these cell lines, both within Ecuador (e.g.,
Galápagos Science Center, San Cristobal – BioBank facility) and outside the country, will be identified and
evaluated. Once this information is available, the possibility of acceding to a Framework Contract for Access to
Genetic Resources will be coordinated with the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of
Ecuador, to take the samples and send them to the identified and selected laboratories.

13
Priority conservation strategies
and activities – overview

Priority 1: Invasive species control and filling in key knowledge gaps

Programmed actions (by year) GNPD in
Strategies & activities collaboration
1 2 3 4 5 with1:
Immediate actions that support all strategies prioritised below

Activity 1: Establish basic Establish infrastructure. GC

infrastructure on Wolf Volcano
facilitating field work related to
all prioritised strategies.

Activity 2: Identify and record Identify and register nesting sites. FJ, GC, NCSU,
the exact location of Galápagos SDZ, URTV
pink land iguana nesting sites on Determine the species reproductive phenology.
Wolf Volcano using transmitters,
camera traps, and field obser-
vations. Monitor throughout the
year to determine the reproduc-
tive phenology of the species.

1
GNPD will coordinate with partners listed here, which are reflected in alphabetical order.
List of acronyms: FJ: Jocotoco Conservation Foundation; GC: Galápagos Conservancy; HZ: Houston Zoo; IC: Island Conservation; LO: Luis Ortiz-Catedral; NCSU: North
Carolina State University; SDZ: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; URTV: Tor Vergata University of Rome

14
 Programmed actions (by year) GNPD in
Strategies & activities collaboration
1 2 3 4 5 with1:
Strategy 1: Manage invasive Identify the core and buffer Monitor the impact of In years 3 to 5 the following activities will continue at regular intervals: FJ, IC
species (feral cats, rodents) area for invasive species invasive species control on (i) Monitoring the impact of invasive species control on the survival of pink land
at levels that allow the natural control. the pink land iguana sur- iguanas, and feral cat abundance.
recruitment of Galápagos pink vival (continues at regular (ii) Based on results, adjust core and buffer area for invasive species control and
land iguanas on Wolf Volcano. Develop a non-target spe- intervals). continue control activities.
cies risk assessment for the
use of toxicants to control Use the camera trap
invasive species at Wolf network to monitor effec-
Volcano and develop a plan tiveness of control on feral
based on this information. cat abundance (continues
at regular intervals).
Establish a camera trap
network throughout the Continue control efforts
core area and a buffer area. for feral cats and invasive
rodents.
Use the camera trap
network to monitor effec-
tiveness of control on feral
cat abundance (continues
at regular intervals).

Implement control efforts

for feral cats and invasive
rodents.

Strategy 2: Fill knowledge gaps: Collate information on Ecology and health studies In years 3 to 5, activities to fill knowledge gaps’ activities will continue and they will feed FJ, GC, HZ,
yellow land iguana captive include: coordinated actions into adaptive management decisions of this plan. LO, NCSU,
breeding management aimed at habitat modelling, SDZ, URTV
• Ecology: habitat requirements,
efforts. population monitoring,
breeding season, hiding places,
investigating reproductive
environmental conditions, and
Include in research permits ecology, and presence and
use of other areas on Wolf
the request to search for prevalence of diseases or
Volcano
pink land iguanas in other infective agents potentially
• Baseline data on health con- sites on Isabela Island. causing diseases.
dition, disease surveillance, and
their potential impact in captivity
• Genetic characterisation for
management purposes

15
Decision point: In early months of year 3, the GNPD and partners will evaluate priority 1 actions to
determine if strategies used were sufficient to restore the pink land iguana population. If
not, priority 2 activities will begin. Adapt priority 2 activities based on lessons from priority
1 activities.

Priority 2: Establish a headstart programme

Programmed actions (by year) GNPD in

Strategies & activities collaboration
1 2 3 4 5 with1:
Strategy 3: Establish an initial Establish a protocol for Establish basic infrastruc- Collect neonates and eggs Monitor programme results. FJ, GC, HZ,
headstart programme of pink collecting neonates and ture for maintaining pink (if needed) for the headstart LO, NCSU,
land iguanas that are in good eggs to transfer to head- land iguanas in captivity. programme. Repatriation or release on SDZ, URTV
health and present adequate start centre. Wolf Volcano of headstart
behaviour to survive in the wild. Design a protocol for health Manage the headstart individuals if ready.
Design basic infrastructure evaluation, initial treatment, programme. (Note: repatriation may
for maintaining pink land and response to diseases. initiate later than Year 5,
iguanas in captivity. potentially 3 to 4 years from
Collect neonates and eggs collection of neonates or
(if needed) for the eggs).
headstart programme.

Implement and manage the

headstart programme.

Decision point: Evaluate if the headstart programme, plus the invasive predator control, Determine if strategies used were sufficient to restore the
works and is sufficient. Determine if it is necessary to start with phase 3. pink land iguana population. If not, identify if priority 3
activities should start. Adapt priority 3 activities, based on
lessons learned so far.

16
 Priority 3: Strategies and activities to consider implementing (not necessarily in the order presented below) beyond year 5 of this plan
if priority 1 and 2 activities do not yield expected results
GNPD in
Strategies & activities Year 1 to 5 Beyond Year 5 collaboration
with1:
Strategy 4: Establish a captive Collect information and Develop a plan for the management and quarantine process. TBD based
breeding and rearing pro- fill knowledge gaps that on results in
gramme for pink land iguanas to could inform this strategy, Establish required infrastructure. previous years
supplement the populations of if required, as a last resort
pink land iguanas in the wild. to support pink land iguana Adult extraction (2–3 adult males) for pilot trial.
survival.
Implement captive breeding programme.

Collect information, fill knowledge gaps, and feed the future captive breeding management plan.

If implemented, monitor and release individuals at Wolf Volcano.

Strategy 5: Establish at least one Assess available resources If feasible and approved by GNPD, implement the translocation plan to selected release site. TBD based
second healthy and self-sus- and feasibility for transloca- on results in
taining population of Galápagos tion of the species to lower Monitor the released population. previous years
pink land iguanas in the wild on elevations (e.g., Rabida and
the Galápagos Islands outside Santiago Islands).
of Wolf Volcano.
If feasible, coordinate with
GNPD for approval and
develop translocation plan.

Strategy 6: Use of cryogenics Identify two facilities If no national site is available, obtain required permits for genetic material to be preserved outside of Ecuador. IC, LO, SDZ
(preservation of fibroblast cell (one in-country and one
lines for future cloning or stem outside of Ecuador) with Train staff and collect samples of pink land iguanas’ fibroblasts and send to selected preservation facilities to preserve
cell technology). infrastructure to preserve genetic material.
genetic material through
cryogenics. Generate agreements and necessary legal documentation according to what is established in Ecuador for access to
genetic resources.

17
Communication
strategy
The Galápagos National Park Directorate has a pre-established communication strategy
and protocol for communicating research and management actions undertaken in the
Galápagos National Park protected areas. As such, all partners and parties involved in
implementing this plan will follow this strategy and protocol to ensure they are coordinated,
and the information gathered is disseminated appropriately to inform management actions
in a timely manner and to maintain support from decision-makers and funders.

Collaborators celebrate the installation of the satellite gateway for remote monitoring of the
iguanas on Wolf Volcano, 20 September 2019. Photo © Gregory Lewbart

18
Estimated
budget
The plan was considered in priorities and its budget reflects this. These
costs are an estimate for the implementation of each priority.

Activity Estimated Value (USD)

Priority 1: Invasive species control* and resolving key information gaps (0–18 months)

Logistics (aerial, sea, land) $560,000

Infrastructure (caseta, tracks) $110,000

Equipment $70,000

Communication system $5,000

Personnel training $50,000

Personnel labour (fill knowledge gaps and invasive species control) $220,000

Safety and evacuation plan from Wolf Volcano $20,000

Genetic characterisation for management purposes $25,000

Total priority 1: $1,060,000

*Cost estimates considered here for invasive species control is for the first two years of the Plan

Priority 2: Establish a headstart programme (18 months onward)**

Logistics (aerial, sea, land) for transfer of hatchlings or eggs from $45,000
Wolf Volcano to headstart centre

Infrastructure for headstart programme $300,000

Infrastructure annual maintenance $5,000

Personnel labour (collect hatchlings or eggs and captive care) $120,000

Equipment and supplies $20,000

Development of a health assessment protocol $5,000

Implementation of health protocol $300/animal***

Logistics (aerial, sea, land) for repatriation of iguanas to Wolf $30,000****
Volcano upon reaching a suitable size and age

Total priority 2: $525,000 (initial investment),

**Cost estimates are annual, while infrastructure is a then ~$225,000 annually +
one-time investment with annual maintenance health assessment cost
***Total cost will depend on number of animals assessed
****This cost estimate will apply from year six onwards when hatchlings are 5 years old

19
 Activity Estimated Value (USD)

Priority 3. Strategies/activities to consider implementing beyond year five of this plan, if

priority 1 and 2 activities do not yield expected results

Establishment of captive breeding and rearing programme $410,000 (initial investment),

then ~$215,000 annually +
health assessment cost

Establishment of a second population outside of Wolf Volcano $120,000

Second population establishment monitoring (annually) $50,000

Use of cryogenics to preserve fibroblasts of the species $20,000

Total strategies to consider beyond year five: $550,000 (initial investment),

then ~$265,000 annually

Galápagos National Park rangers perform population monitoring activities for the pink land
iguanas on Wolf Volcano. Photo © Galápagos National Park Directorate

20
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 Appendices

Appendix 1. Full current assessment from the

IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM
Gentile, G. (2012). Conolophus marthae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012, Article
e.T174472A1414375. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN. UK.2012-1.RLTS.T174472A1414375.en

Taxonomy

Conolophus marthae was recently described. No prior reference exists in the taxonomic
literature as the species was not known before its description (Gentile & Snell, 2009). The
description was based on morphological, genetic, and behavioural diagnostic traits. The
holotype is a free-living adult male tagged with a subcutaneous electronic marker, branded,
and released. Further genetic evidence supporting separate taxonomic status of the
Galápagos pink land iguana prior to the species’ description is found in Gentile et al., 2009,
and Tzika et al., 2008. Gentile et al. (2009) disclaims the name ‘rosada’ for nomenclatural
purposes (Articles 8.2 and 8.3; International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, 1999).

Distribution

The Galápagos pink land iguana is a recently described species endemic to Volcán Wolf, a
single location on Isla Isabela. Based on direct observations (G. Gentile, pers. comm., 2011)
and reports of the Galápagos National Park surveys, this iguana has never been observed
outside an area larger than 25 km². The maximum area surrounding the geographic
capture points of all individuals observed to date is 10.9 km², with more than 95% of
observations clustering in a much smaller area (G. Gentile, pers. comm., 2011). The iguana
occurs along the northern slopes of the volcano, in an area ranging from 600–1,700 m
asl. There may be a seasonal shift in altitude, with pink iguanas concentrating at the crater
rim at 1,700 m during the months of May–July and descending to 600 m when vegetation
starts drying out. This iguana has not been seen inside the caldera.

Population information

A single wild population of Galápagos pink land iguana exists, and it is not found ex
situ. Recently, the effective population size (Ne) has been estimated at as large as 41.21
individuals (95% CI = 30.71–67.97) by using microsatellite data (nine loci) (Fulvo, 2010).
Mark-recapture data, by applying the Lincoln-Petersen method from two contiguous
temporal samples in 2009 and 2010 (percentage of recapture = 53%), would indicate
192 adult individuals (95% CI = 155–260). Sex ratio estimated from samples collected
in May 2009 was one male to 0.59 females and one male to 0.51 females in July 2010
(Gentile & Fulvo, 2011). Past and future population trends are impossible to assess due
to the lack of a sufficiently long series of estimates of population size. Monomorphism for
a single mitochondrial DNA haplotype in a sample of 102 iguanas strongly suggests that
the Galápagos pink land iguana might have suffered severe demographic contractions in
the past (G. Gentile, pers. comm., 2011). From 2005 to 2011, 133 adult individuals were

23
captured and permanently marked with brands and Passive Integrated Transponders,
representing nearly all observed pink iguanas (G. Gentile, pers. comm., 2011). During
these surveys, no juveniles were observed, suggesting population recruitment appears to
be noneffective.

Habitat and ecology

The Galápagos pink land iguana (Conolophus marthae) is found coexisting with a
subpopulation of Galápagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) on Volcán Wolf.
Altitudinal shifts along the slopes of the volcano imply different environmental conditions,
which ultimately are reflected by different types of vegetation. The habitat includes tropical
dry shrubland at the top of the volcano and tropical dry forest along the slopes. Vegetation
at the highest altitudes may be impacted by droughts. The head nodding behaviour of
C. marthae is very distinctive and completely different from C. subcristatus and may be
a barrier to hybridisation. Basic reproductive biology of this iguana is unknown. In late
spring 2010, a few C. marthae females were observed carrying 4–7 eggs in their follicles,
investigated by a portable ultrasound machine (G. Gentile, pers. comm., 2011). These data
would indicate a much smaller clutch size than for the geographically closest population of
C. subcristatus on Fernandina Island (7–23 eggs; Werner, 1982). It is still unclear whether
C. marthae and C. subcristatus have overlapping reproductive seasons and if the two
species may compete for nesting sites on Volcán Wolf; the location of these nests is
unknown. Average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of animals observed is 46.8 cm, males
being significantly larger than females. The SVL of the smallest male Galápagos pink land
iguana captured was 37.3 cm, a size that broadly corresponds to the SVL in seven-year-old
Galápagos land iguana individuals (37.5 cm ± 6.0 SD) from Santa Cruz, and even older
individuals from Plaza Sur.

Use and trade

There is no current or known historic human use or trade of this species.

Threats

The population of Galápagos pink land iguana is extremely small and prone to both
demographic and genetic stochasticity, as well as environmental stochasticity (volcanic
eruptions, droughts). Because of the overlapping range with Galápagos land iguana,
hybridisation may occur, generating introgression between C. marthae and C. subcristatus
on Volcán Wolf. Although there is no evidence of living F1 hybrids at present, DNA evidence
shows that rare events of hybridisation have occurred, though the severity of subsequent
introgression has not been fully evaluated yet (Gentile et al., 2009; Fulvo, 2010). Because
the population is so small, rare events of hybridisation may have a significant effect on the
species. In addition to the Galápagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis), the only native predator
of Galápagos pink land iguanas on Volcán Wolf, invasive alien black rats (Rattus rattus)
and feral cats (Felis catus) are potential predators of eggs and hatchlings. It is known that

24
 feral cats prey on Galápagos land iguanas up to three and four years old. Animals in this
age class represent a size that has not been found among pink iguanas. Therefore, it is
suspected that feral cats pose a significant threat to population recruitment in Galápagos
pink land iguanas. Volcán Wolf is an active volcano, with several eruptions recorded in the
last century, most recently in 1982. Most recent lava is found on the eastern and southern
sides of the volcano and in the caldera (Geist et al., 2005). Eruptions may have caused local
extinctions of populations of C. subcristatus in the past, for example, Volcán Chico (on the
eastern side of Volcán Sierra Negra) in 1979 (Snell et al., 1984). Droughts may be severe on
the top of Volcán Wolf. Although adults are expected to cope fairly well with drought since
they obtain water from consumed plants, the resultant scarcity of food may potentially
cause aborted reproduction for the year due to a combination of lack of egg laying, a higher
number of infertile eggs laid, and poor juvenile survival.

Ectoparasite load is high in both Galápagos land iguanas and pink iguanas on Volcán Wolf.
In fact, the location is characterised by a massive occurrence of ticks, which are much
more abundant in Volcán Wolf than elsewhere in the archipelago. Both C. marthae and
the C. subcristatus populations from Volcán Wolf show an unbalanced leukocyte formula
compared to other populations of land iguanas from the whole archipelago. This could be
related to the presence of ticks but could also indicate a possible endoparasite infection
affecting most individuals (Fulvo, 2010). This issue and how it might affect the fitness of the
two populations is under investigation. There is no current or known historic human use or
trade of this species.

Conservation

All species of Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus spp.) are included in Appendix II
of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES). The known geographic range of Galápagos pink land iguana is within the
Galápagos National Park, the legal authority governing and protecting biological diversity
of the Galápagos Islands. The land iguanas are included in the Management of Native
and Endemic Species Program, as part of the Galápagos National Park’s management
plan. The Galápagos National Park undertakes major campaigns to control and eradicate
invasive alien species in the Galápagos, including on Volcán Wolf. Such actions have so far
successfully prevented habitat disturbance by feral goats in northern Isabela and promoted
habitat restoration of southern Isabela. In the early 2000s, a three-year programme
to eradicate feral cats from the island of Baltra (where C. subcristatus was repatriated
from 1991 onwards) was effective by initially poisoning with sodium monofluoroacetate
(compound 1080), then trapping or shooting the remaining cats (Phillips et al., 2005).
However, the applicability of this protocol on Volcán Wolf is questionable due to the difficult
terrain and is likely impossible for an island as large as Isla Isabela, an area of 4,588 km²
(Nogales et al., 2004). Further evaluation of the feral cat population on Volcán Wolf is
needed for the purpose of implementing a programme for their control.

25
Based on successful programmes for the populations of C. subcristatus from Bahía
Cartago (Isabela), Santa Cruz, and Baltra Islands (Snell et al., 1984), the National Park is
also considering a captive-breeding programme for C. marthae. The University Tor Vergata
(Rome, Italy) is actively assisting the Park in this regard.

The Galápagos pink land iguana is not in contact with humans in Galápagos except for the
purpose of scientific investigation and management. The Galápagos National Park does
not envision a plan to include Volcán Wolf in the list of touristic sites nor other possible
intrusions to the population. Nevertheless, as the species is endemic and has a very limited
distribution, the National Park has added a specific educational module focused on this
species in the courses aimed at training and updating nature guides. This training ensures
proper information is conveyed to visiting tourists.

Information on the population biology and ecology of pink iguanas is very limited and
research has begun. Research needs include monitoring of population and habitat trends,
diet analysis, and in-depth study of the reproductive biology of this species. Clarifying the
frequency of hybridisation and level of genetic introgression between C. marthae and C.
subcristatus is urgently needed. Additionally, the health status of the population should be
monitored and the possible impact of a high parasite load on the fitness of the population
should be investigated.

Additionally, in the event a captive breeding programme is started, the Galápagos National
Park, in collaboration with the University Tor Vergata, will develop an education programme
for local people and tourists. It is extremely difficult and expensive to access the study
area. The need to transport equipment to and from the site limits the duration of research
trips and consequently the extent of research that can be conducted on any one trip. The
construction of a small low-impact, temporary field structure near the top of volcano would
greatly help by allowing longer field trips and more effective research work and monitoring.

26
 Appendix 2: Workshop participants 23–25 August 2021
Wilson Cabrera Ecosystems park ranger Galápagos National Park Directorate

Karl Campbell Director of Latin American islands initiative Re:wild

Víctor Carrión Island restoration coordinator Jocotoco Conservation Foundation

Jorge Carrión Conservation manager Galápagos Conservancy

Paula A. Castaño Native species manager Island Conservation

Giuliano Colosimo Postdoctoral research fellow San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance &
Tor Vergata University of Rome

Samuel Dubouis Translator

Joe Flanagan Senior veterinarian Houston Zoo

Gerardo Garcia Curator of lower vertebrates & invertebrates Chester Zoo

Gabriele Gentile Professor Tor Vergata University of Rome

Glenn P. Gerber Scientist, population sustainability San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

James Gibbs Vice president of science and conservation Galápagos Conservancy &
State University of New York, Syracuse

Diana Gil Head of the native species conservation Galápagos National Park Directorate
subprocess, workshop note taker

Christopher Jordan Director for Latin America Re:wild

Patricia León Programme officer, workshop facilitator Re:wild

Gregory Lewbart Professor of zoological medicine North Carolina State University

Andrea Loyola Veterinarian Galápagos National Park Directorate

Cruz Márquez Former Galápagos National Park ranger

Manuel Masaquiza Ecosystems park ranger Galápagos National Park Directorate

Máximo Mendoza Ecosystems park ranger Galápagos National Park Directorate

Russell Mittermeier Chief conservation officer Re:wild

Johannes Ramírez Ecosystems park ranger Galápagos National Park Directorate

Harry Reyes Ecosystems director Galápagos National Park Directorate

Danny Rueda Director of Galápagos National Park Galápagos National Park Directorate

Christian Sevilla Responsible for conservation and restoration Galápagos National Park Directorate
of island ecosystems (CREI)

Washington Tapia Director of conservation Galápagos Conservancy

Lina Valencia Coordinator of the Andean countries Re:wild

Freddy Villalva Responsible Fausto Llerena breeding centre Galápagos National Park Directorate

Gabriela Vivas Former: Island restoration specialist, Former: Island Conservation,

Current: Operations manager, workshop Current: Galápagos Conservancy
logistics coordinator

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Galápagos pink land iguana male (Conolophus marthae) on Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island.
Photo © Joshua Vela, Galápagos Conservancy
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