 The fossil record indicates that the blue iguana was abundant before European colonization ; but fewer than 15 animals remained in the wild by 2003 , and this wild population was predicted to become extinct within the first decade of the 21st century . The species ' decline is mainly being driven by predation by feral pets ( cats and dogs ) and indirectly by the destruction of their natural habitat as fruit farms are converted to pasture for cattle grazing . Since 2004 , hundreds of captive @-@ bred animals have been released into a preserve on Grand Cayman run by a partnership headed by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust , in an attempt to save the species . At least five non @-@ profit organizations are working with the government of the Cayman Islands to ensure the survival of the blue iguana . According to the November 9 , 2013 episode of Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin , the conservancy program has released over 700 captive bred Grand Cayman blue iguanas since the 2004 nadir of only 12 remaining animals . 
