Martinique Mission 2026: Spotlight on the Protection of the Lesser Antillean Iguana
From March 8 to 26, 2026, one of the Zoo de Granby’s conservation experts will travel to Martinique for a major new scientific mission.
Patrick Paré, biologist and Director of Conservation, Education and Research, will head to the “Island of Flowers” with an ambitious agenda to carry out. While the setting may be idyllic, there will be no time for lounging on the beach! This will be the Zoo de Granby’s sixth mission in Martinique since 2024, a long-term commitment that is already yielding tangible results through several conservation projects.
This mission fully aligns with the objectives of Mission Faune: protecting native species, strengthening scientific knowledge, and supporting concrete, on-the-ground conservation actions.
Three Conservation Projects Deeply Rooted in the Field
Since 2024, the Zoo de Granby has been working closely with its Martinican partners around three major areas of research and protection:
1. Bats
Through the acquisition of knowledge on their ecology and roosts, scientific capture and tagging, and the protection of key sites, notably in the ruins of the municipality of Saint-Pierre.
2. Marine turtles (hawksbill, green, and leatherback)
Through nest monitoring, beach protection, and strong community involvement, supported by the Zoo’s scientific expertise.
3. The lesser Antillean iguana
An emblematic and critically threatened species, which will be at the heart of the 2026 mission.
Photo credit: Zoo de Martinique
The lesser Antillean Iguana: A Species at Risk
The lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Endemic to the Caribbean, it now survives on only a few islands, including Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.
It faces numerous threats:
- Competition with the common green iguana, an invasive alien species that is rapidly expanding, larger in size, and far more prolific;
- Predation of eggs by rats and mongooses;
- Poaching and road mortality.
In this context, the National Action Plan (NAP) for the species, equivalent to a recovery plan in Québec, is currently under review, with a new version expected for 2026–2030.
Photo credit: Zoo de Martinique
A 2026 Mission Focused on Science and Action
For this mission, the Zoo de Granby is directly funding and supporting fieldwork, particularly as part of a master’s research project conducted in collaboration with the Université de Sherbrooke. Patrick Paré and master’s student Cloé Tanguay will arrive in Martinique on March 8. Patrick will remain on site for three weeks to plan and initiate the work, while Cloé will continue the research in the field for six months.
The Martinique Zoo will provide accommodation and contribute to discussions on captive breeding. The project will be coordinated by Nathalie Duporge, an independent biologist and expert on Martinican wildlife, who already collaborates with the Zoo de Granby on marine turtle and bat projects.
Two Major Components to Save the Iguana
1. Ex situ breeding and reintroduction
The objective is to assess the potential for captive breeding and future reintroduction programs. To this end, a survey has been sent to several internationally recognized institutions, including the Vienna Zoo, the Memphis Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Exchanges with these experts will continue throughout the mission.
2. Study of nesting sites and forest surveys
Finding an iguana in tropical forest is a real challenge: it can perch more than 20 meters high and blend perfectly into the foliage. Teams will therefore aim to:
- Improve survey techniques;
- Monitor a population located in an area free of invasive iguanas, to confirm its conservation potential;
- Meet with private landowners to encourage voluntary conservation;
- Locate, monitor, and protect nesting sites.
A Broader Commitment to the Species and Its Future
At the same time, Patrick will take part in meetings to revise the National Action Plan, alongside government partners and experts from the islands concerned. An annual inventory of the Lesser Antillean iguana will also be conducted on Chancel Islet, the most important site for the species in Martinique, where the Zoo de Granby will provide scientific support.
Finally, the mission will allow the continuation of bat awareness activities in Saint-Pierre and ongoing efforts to protect marine turtles, particularly in collaboration with coastal restaurateurs in Le Diamant.
Mission Faune in Action
Through this mission in Martinique, the Zoo de Granby reaffirms its commitment, through Mission Faune, to taking concrete action for the conservation of native species, both locally and around the world. This approach combines science, international collaboration, and community engagement, working toward a future in which wildlife and ecosystems can truly thrive.
