Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all a very happy holiday and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for all your continued support!

From all of us at IRCF!

IRCF at the shows!

IRCF has been able to attend more shows this year, thanks to additional volunteers!

September found IRCF being a portable booth at the North American Reptile Breeders Conference and Trade Show (NARBC) in Anaheim, California. While John Binns was in Guatemela for Project Heloderma, I carried a messenger bag and my camera, roaming the show floor. It was great to see old friends and make new ones! We welcome five new members!

This weekend November 4-5th, IRCF member Joe Ehrenberger manned the IRCF booth at the Indy Reptile Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is IRCF's first appearance at the show and with one of our new show banners! A stunning slide show was run continuously on the laptop. Joe also was assisted by his wife Kacie, and recently joined IRCF member Dee Asbury. 15 new members have joined our organization.

Next weekend November 11-12th, IRCF has a booth at the San Jose Reptile Show in San Jose, California. This will be a great opportunity to get to know John and Sandy Binns, Michael Kern, and Joel Friesch. You will get some first hand information about the conservation efforts that IRCF has been and will be involved with in the near future.

Novi, Michigan is IRCF's next stop. This is also a first time appearance for IRCF at the American's Family Pet Expo. Stop by and visit with IRCF members Jane Billette and Stephanie Beiser; you may get a chance to meet various iguanids - Azul, a Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi) hybrid; Rhino Iguanas (Cyclura cornuta) and spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaur pectinata)

Thank you to everyone for their efforts at the shows and welcome to all the new members!

Going, going, gone....

No...IRCF isn't going anywhere!!

But IRCF is mentioned within the book entitled:
"Going, Going, Gone: Animals on the Brink of Extinction and How to Turn the Tide" by Think Books

"The clock is ticking: Can it be stopped? Many scientists believe that we are on the brink of a new mass extinction, with at least one million species in danger of not surviving to the end of the century. But there is still an opportunity to turn the tide, to change the way we live and give these creatures a chance. In the very first book of its kind, 100 conservation organizations from around the world each nominate a species—animal or plant—that it believes is most threatened. Every one selected receives a two-page spread, with magnificent photography, fascinating facts, details on why it is endangered, and information on how we can save it. Plus: complete contact details for the featured organizations."

Foreshore Ltd. Helping the Blues!

Send a donation of $1 at no cost to you. Foreshore Ltd. will donate $1 to the Blue Iguana Recovery Program for all first time clicks.

Visit Foreshore at http://www.foreshore.net/BlueIguana/

You too can help by putting this link in your signature or on your website!

Support the Blues!

Team Blue 2006 volunteers Jonathan Scupin & AE Nash

Jonathan Scupin and AE Nash have returned to Colorado from their adventures in Grand Cayman. What a time they had in participating with Team Blue 2006 activities!

Visit Jonathan's webpage for a photo blog!

http://jonathan.scupin.googlepages.com/teamblue2006

IRCF News 2006/09/20

Summer is finishing up with exciting activities and a landmark event!

The September issue of IGUANA, with a special emphasis on the genus Heloderma, is due out this month. The IRCF is proud to be partnering with Zootropic, Fundacion Defensores de la Naturaleza of Guatemala, CONAP, Zoo Atlanta, and The Nature Conservancy in support of Project Heloderma and its efforts to prevent the extinction of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard.

The IRCF and Zoo Atlanta raised $18,000 at the auction to benefit Project Heloderma held at the National Reptile Breeders Expo in Daytona Beach, Florida. The auction success could not have been realized without the generosity of our many donors and the hard work and enthusiasm of on-hand volunteers.

This month, John Binns (IRCF CEO) is heading to Guatemala, packing critically needed equipment and assisting with radiotracking the elusive Guatemalan Beaded Lizard. Four tracking transmitters, a tracking receiver, antennae and miniature dataloggers are headed for the Motagua Valley, where recently captured Beaded Lizards await release pending the arrival of transmitters. We eagerly await the images that John hopes to "capture". Aside from the Heloderma, John hopes to catch a glimpse of the equally rare and endangered Guatemalan Black Iguana (Ctenosaura Palearis).

The IRCF will be sponsoring this year’s Team Blue 2006 activities for the Blue Iguana Recovery Program thanks to the kindness of an anonymous donor who provided a grant through the Maine Community Foundation. We have been busily coordinating Team Blue volunteers to support the winter season: Trails need to be cut, retreats created and transported to the Salina, Park and Salina nests and hatchlings to be monitored, and finally, another head-started set of 2-year old Blues to be released. More information about Team Blue 2006 can be found at: http://www.IRCF.org/volunteer.html. Also check out http://www.BlueIguana.ky for terrific new photos and updates.

The current set of volunteers have been in the presence of a landmark event – the successful, unassisted hatching of baby Blues in the Salina Reserve! All the years of dedication, support and commitment from partners, donors, and volunteers (IRCF, Durrell, ISG, IIF, the National Trust, and the Dept. of Environment) have led to this truly remarkable event. As soon as we have more news on the youngsters, we'll be sure to pass it along!

In closing, we regrettably report the passing of IRCF member Marie Poyner. She was an avid supporter of the IRCF mission to preserve endangered reptiles and their habitat. Her presence, dedication to helping others, and positive personality will truly be missed. We hope that others can follow in her footsteps

We thank you for all your support and generosity,
des.

P.S. I will be attending the NARBC (Anaheim, CA) on September 23rd. I’ll be wearing my Project Heloderma shirt! Feel free to stop me and introduce yourself!!!

Project Heloderma auction a success!

Thank you everyone for making the auction a great success. Given that the Venomous Expo did not occur and that traveling expenses have risen with the gas price increases, the auction *still*generated $18,000 for Project Heloderma. Thank you for the great team effort!

Thank you to everyone who donated auction items and thanks to those who volunteered during their vacation time (KT, Jen, Carole, Russ, Nancy, Linda, Linda's son Byron & g/f, Aminah, and Pat - hopefully Ididn't miss anyone!). We also had help from Tim (Denver Zoo) and Brad (Zoo Atlanta) and his crew, and Luis and Rodrigo (from Zootropic in Guatemala), Alex and Dave (Turtle group), Tina and George, Joe B, Nathan and our killer auctioneer - Tattoo Pete. We thoroughly appreciated everyone's help – we couldn't have done it without you!

Preparing for Project Heloderma auction

Over here at IRCF, we're busily getting ready to travel to Florida for the Project Heloderma auction. The Binns, AJ, and I will be arriving Friday. Thank you in advance to everyone that has donated, spread the word and those volunteering to help with the auction. The auction success is based on the collaborative efforts of all involved! Thank you!

More news when we are able to get online!

Bouncing baby blues in Grand Cayman

Baby Blues have started hatching! Congrads to Digger and Elizabeth! What a happy moment in Cayman! Of course, more Blues to come!

http://www.blueiguana.ky

Once the sponsorship program goes live, more Blues to choose from!!!!

Helping us spread the news!

We appreciate websites that help pass on the news. See what the following site(s) have done.

http://www.baskinglizards.com

News from IRCF (2006/07/31)

We are very pleased to announce the release of the fully revamped IRCF website (www.IRCF.org). The site is filled with gorgeous images and content about the endangered reptiles and their habitats that the IRCF seeks to protect. You can join or renew your membership online and find information regarding a wide variety of donation programs. Please note that some parts of the site are still under construction, such as our new merchandise store and portions of the Program section; we appreciate your patience while these areas are being completed.

Some additional recent highlights:

IRCF has now partnered with Project Heloderma, to help preserve the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard, a species with fewer than 200 individuals remaining in the wild. The IRCF will be present at the National Reptile Breeders’ Expo this August in Daytona Beach, FL sponsoring the auction benefiting the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard. Your assistance with donations and on-site tasks is greatly appreciated. (www.IRCF.org/projectheloderma)

We also have started coordinating volunteers for Team Blue 2006 to assist with the Blue Iguana Recovery Program. During the months from August through December, Team Blue will be involved with activities such as trail development, production of retreats for the Salina, release of head-started iguanas, among other tasks. Team Blue is in immediate need of one to two volunteers in the 8/28-9/12 timeframe. (www.IRCF.org/volunteer.html)

The IGUANA journal has arrived in the mail! We appreciate the patience of our members but the wait is well worth it! With a stunning cover featuring a Malaysian Flying Lizard and 90+ pages of articles, photos and information, we strive to invigorate and educate our members.

The IRCF has also published the Spring edition of Blue Iguana Tales (http://www.blueiguana.ky). Learn about recent Program highlights and further details from the June 2006 dog attacks.

Please tell your friends about the IRCF and encourage them to become members! The efforts of even a single person can have a positive, lasting impact on the preservation of endangered species.

IRCF support of NRBE auction benefiting the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard

Message from John Binns, our IRCF president, with regards to the NRBE Guatemalan Beaded Lizard auction. The auction flyer is located at http://www.ircf.org/projectheloderma/auction.html from which you can download a PDF.

If you will be in Daytona, we will also be seeking volunteers to help gather items for the auction thay day, as well as manage the auction in the evening. There is a "Volunteers Needed" link at http://www.ircf.org/projectheloderma/auction.html

Please feel free to distribute this information.

Thx!
des.

*******************************************
Greetings,

Last year, the IRCF sponsored the National Reptile Breeder’s Expo auction to benefit the West Indian Rock Iguanas. The auction was a huge success and generated over $20,000 to help fund critical conservation work to assist the San Salvador Rock Iguana (Cyclura rileyi rileyi), Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei), Anegada Iguana (Cyclura pinguis), and the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi).

Last year’s auction success is credited to the generosity of donors and vendors who gave willingly, the many volunteers who contributed long hours in managing the auctions activities, and Wayne Hill for hosting the event.

This year, the IRCF is teaming up with Zoo Atlanta to sponsor the NRBE auction to benefit the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (H. h. charlesbogerti). Fewer than 200 of these critically endangered animals remain in the unique dry forest habitat of the Motagua Valley in Guatemala.

Saving this species is within our reach, but the window of opportunity is closing rapidly.

Recovery efforts are being conducted through a partnership called Project Heloderma, headed by Zootropic, a Guatemalan NGO working in unison with NGO Defensores de la Naturaleza Foundation (Defenders of Nature), whose primary focus is the conservation of the Motagua Valley. Other partners include the Guatemalan government’s National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), Zoo Atlanta, the IRCF, San Diego Zoo, and Dan Beck, Central Washington University.

Detailed information about Project Heloderma can be found at the following web address: http://www.IRCF.org/projectheloderma

We are seeking your help and support to save the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard. Please consider the following ways to contribute:

1. Benefit Auction: Donate items for the auction (August 19th 2006). All donations are U.S. tax deductible. What can I donate? Just about anything, Crafts, Artwork, Books, Reptile Supplies, Services, Professional Services, Passes, Vacations Packages, Equipment, Appliances, Apparel, Field Equipment and electronics, Old Cars, you name it. To donate, simply go to: http://www.ircf.org/projectheloderma/auction2.html

2. Participate in our online Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Donor Program, and receive your Certificate of Appreciation, Guatemalan Beaded Lizard photograph, and, depending on your level of contribution, a gift of appreciation. For information please visit: http://www.ircf.org/projectheloderma/help.html

3. Financial Donors or Sponsorship, at any scale, corporate or private, local or international. Please contact Sandy at: SB@ircf.org

If you would prefer to handle your contribution at a personal level, please contact Sandy at SB@ircf.org -or- call toll-free 877-472-3674 for assistance.

Project Heloderma thanks you in advance for any consideration and assistance you can provide.

Sincerely,

John

PS. Please feel free to distribute this mailing.

--
John F. Binns, CEO
International Reptile Conservation Foundation, Inc.
3010 Magnum Drive, San Jose, CA 95135 USA
www.IRCF.org

The International Reptile Conservation Foundation works to conserve reptiles and the natural habitats and ecosystems that support them.

Blue Iguana Recovery Program News (2006/06/23)

Spring has ended with tragic news yet summer brings us new hope!

At the tail end of March 2006, 2.5 year old male BGB ventured out of the Salina Reserve and onto private property, sadly into the jaws of a dog. Earlier this month, two stray dogs wandered into the Park and brought to an early end the lives of Sapphire and Slugger, two of the world's most photographed Blue Iguanas. Yellow-Blue, a nesting female, was also mauled; and Santa, another male, has not been seen for several weeks. In memory of Slugger and Sapphire, memorials will be erected with awareness signs to educate visitors; they will also be remembered through the Blue Iguanas they have parented. Sapphire's memorial has been generously covered by her sponsor. We are still in the process of gathering funds for Slugger's memorial.

Amidst the sadness that the Program has faced, joyous moments make an appearance. Yellow Blue, despite being mauled, has laid her eggs and has shown great progress in her recovery. She definitely exhibits the strength and heart of her species. Meanwhile, in the Salina, one of the females released in 2004 has nested! Hopefully more of her 2004 alumni will soon follow!

A series of volunteers have been in Cayman to radio track the two age classes of released iguanas; this data is vital in understanding and mapping out their territories. In addition, they have and will continue to observe nesting behavior, and presumably also will witness the first hatchlings when they appear. Can you imagine the excitement when wild hatchlings emerge!? And think about the years of struggle and dedication that have preceded this important milestone event!

Please visit http://www.blueiguana.ky to peruse the news articles related to Slugger and Sapphire as well as updates on Program happenings. We thank everyone for all their generosity and support of the Program.

Slugger and Sapphire photographs

These photos are courtesy of John Binns / IRCF

Sapphire





Slugger

Tragic news in Grand Cayman

It is with great sadness that I post this news.

Blue Iguanas Sapphire and Slugger have been killed tragically by a pair of wild dogs at the QE II Botanical Park. Slugger was a regular fixture by the restrooms at the BIRP facility. I found it odd on my first trip to see a large blue iguana laying right in front of the restrooms, as if standing guard. He was one of the first blues that I regularly photographed, as he roamed about the facility. Sapphire was seen over by the lake; it was not uncommon for her to laze atop one of the picnic tables. A beautiful animal, Sapphire graced the Blue Iguana Recovery Program information sheet.

They will be buried near the areas they considered home.

Yellow-Blue, a female, also has been mauled but is being a tough iguana! She has continued with her nesting behavior. Male blue Santa, amongst the first iguanas seen when the Blue Iguana Safari Tours kicked off, has not been seen in several weeks.

For the articles covering this tragic event, please visit http://www.blueiguana.ky; click on the left menu bar. Or from the top menu bar, click on Resources, followed by Articles.

Contribute to a worthwhile effort

http://www.cyclura.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=177

IRCF and Blue Iguana Recovery Program News (2006/02/21)

The New Year has started off with much excitement for both IRCF and BIRP.

IRCF has released a website that provides convenient membership registration and highlights from the IGUANA journal. The March issue of the journal is heading off to the printer, so join now or renew your membership and don't miss it. Visit http://www.ircf.org/iguana and preview the journal! Remember, your membership is tax deductible, as IRCF is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.

The winter edition of Blue Iguana Tales has also recently been completed by IRCF. Read about the changing of the guard at the Botanical Park, with iguana-come-lately Santa assuming Forrest's kingdom! Meanwhile, the Salina Reserve welcomed 71 new residents. We are eagerly awaiting 2006 breeding activities! Also, learn about Blue Iguana Sponsorship and more! Again, thank you for all the support to the Fencing project: 117 feet to go!

Don't forget to check out the BIRP articles - learn about the differences between Blue and Green iguanas. You can find BITS and the articles at http://www.blueiguana.ky

Thanks so much!!
des