The population of Anguilla’s Sombrero ground lizard has increased from fewer than 100 in 2018, to more than 1,600 today, a recent survey has revealed.
The critically endangered reptile was on the brink of extinction before conservationists stepped in to help the native species by eradicating invasive mice in 2021.
Since then, experts from the Anguilla National Trust, along with Fauna and Flora and Re:wild have been working to help the lizard and its island habitat to recover, with promising results.
Jenny Daltry, the Caribbean alliance director for Fauna and Flora and Re:wild, who co-led a series of population surveys said it is a “remarkable turnaround for this cheeky and charismatic lizard”.
“But while we celebrate this recovery, we recognise that there is much more to be done to secure their future and that of other Caribbean wildlife,” she added.
“The combined impacts of biodiversity loss and climate breakdown are being felt with greater intensity every year in the Caribbean and around the world.”
Rare species
The Sombrero ground lizard is endemic to Sombrero, a 94-acre island situated 34 miles north west of Anguilla.
While small, this rocky Caribbean island is a globally important area for biodiversity and forms the heart of the Sombrero Island Marine Reserve.
Several other extremely rare species are unique to the island, including the Sombrero Island bee, a pygmy gecko and the Sombrero Island wind scorpion.
Sombrero supports large seabird colonies and is designated as an Important Bird Area and a Ramsar Site. It was also once home to an endemic giant tortoise.
Due to historical mining for phosphates, invasive mice and severe hurricanes, the island was on the verge of ecological collapse.
Farah Mukhida, executive director at the Anguilla National Trust, said: “In 2018, following yet another severe hurricane, we feared it might be the end for the Sombrero ground lizard.
“Fewer than 100 were left and the island was in ruins.”
Since 2021, conservation efforts have focused on removing the invasive rodents and planting native species.
“The past three years have seen painstaking restoration activity,” Mukhida said.
“With hands-on efforts by both our international partners and local conservation heroes to remove the invasive pests and restore natural plant cover – not an easy feat on such a remote and rocky island.”
Biodiverse region
Today, Sombrero Island has been declared pest-free, and is looking much greener and healthier than before efforts began.
Reintroduced native plants such as sea bean, seagrape and prickly pear are already showing healthy new growth.
Justin Springer, Caribbean programme officer for Re:wild, said the region is one of the most biodiverse places in the world with thousands of islands home to more than 10,000 species.
But it has the highest extinction rate in the world, he said.
“Recoveries, like the one that the Sombrero ground lizard is making, are beacons of hope. They are proof that if we make the effort to address the threats, nature has an amazing capacity to bounce back.”
Arica Hill, Caribbean lead for Fauna and Flora, said global action to tackle climate change has never been more urgent, but it is also important to help the Caribbean to adapt to its impacts.
“The ecological restoration we have implemented on Sombrero, Redonda and many other islands across the Caribbean is important for establishing a more secure future for these islands and the many species and people that rely on them,” she said.
“Protecting and restoring healthy natural ecosystems is key to resilience to a changing climate.”
Supporting partners
The Sombrero Island restoration project was made possible through financial support from King Charles III Charitable Fund, Betty Liebert Trust, Darwin Plus, the John Ellerman Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Neotropical Migratory Birds Conservation Act, and Fauna and Flora’s Species Fund.
Wildlife Management International Limited was contracted by Fauna and Flora to provide technical assistance to the project.
Nikki Jeffery, executive director of the King Charles III Charitable Fund, said: “We are proud to have supported this vital restoration project on Sombrero Island, a globally important site for biodiversity.
“The recovery of the endangered Sombrero Island ground lizard is testament to the efforts of all those involved and we hope will inspire further action to restore habitats and reduce biodiversity loss across the world.”
More about the work is available here.
