Quick Scoop: Iguana Collection Numbers No specific total exists for "iguanas collected" worldwide, as it spans various research, control, and conservation efforts without a centralized count. Recent projects highlight targeted collections, like over 1.3 million invasive green iguanas harvested by hunters on Grand Cayman from 2018–2021 to curb population growth. In Bahamian research, teams captured 46 iguanas (including recaptures) across 11 Andros locations and 109 on Gaulin Cay for DNA and health monitoring.

Research Collections

Scientists gather iguanas mainly for genetic studies, population tracking, and conservation—not mass removal.

  • Andros Island (Bahamas, ~2013) : 46 processed (25 males, 20 females, 1 unknown), yielding 41 blood samples; low recaptures showed new site focus.
  • Galápagos Pink Iguanas (2021) : Surveys estimated 211 total via mark-recapture on Wolf Volcano, but no collection numbers reported—efforts prioritized non-invasive counts.
  • Ongoing Drone Counts (Galápagos Marine, 2020–2026) : Citizen science via Zooniverse marks iguanas in aerial images for full population census due early 2026; volunteers undercount slightly but aid hard-to-reach colonies.

These efforts blend storytelling with science: imagine rangers navigating fragmented cays, recapturing iguanas tagged back in 2002, revealing long-term survival tales.

Control and Harvest Efforts

Invasive iguanas prompt larger "collections" via hunting or trapping, especially in Florida and Caribbean islands.

  • Grand Cayman (2018–2021) : 1.3+ million green iguanas removed post-reproduction surveys to model and reduce invasive spread.
  • Florida (ongoing) : Forums buzz with air rifle hunts and traps; one Reddit thread unites locals on culling invasives, with tips for donation or processing—no aggregate totals, but "100 iguanas" mocked as tough.
  • Commercial Traps : Tools like IggyTrap target Florida's booming populations, protecting economies from damage.

Project| Iguanas Collected| Purpose| Location| Year
---|---|---|---|---
Andros Research 1| 46 + 109| DNA/health monitoring| Bahamas| ~2013
Grand Cayman Hunt 6| 1.3 million+| Invasive control| Cayman Islands| 2018–2021
Pink Iguana Survey 3| ~211 estimated (mark-recapture)| Conservation census| Galápagos| 2021
Marine Iguana Drones 5| Counting via images (no physical collection)| Population estimate| Galápagos| 2020–2026

Trending Context

As of February 2026, Galápagos drone projects trend in citizen science circles, with full marine iguana counts imminent. Florida forums keep invasive hunts viral, blending utility with dark humor—no 2025–2026 spikes noted. Speculation: AI may soon automate counts, scaling from thousands classified by volunteers.

TL;DR : No global total; key figures include 1.3M+ culled in Cayman and dozens in research—efforts mix conservation wins with invasive battles.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.