Animal Kingdom / Conservation

Four Jamaican iguanas hatch backstage at Animal Kingdom

By Ruuben Becker · Published November 3, 2026

Disney has welcomed four critically endangered Jamaican iguana hatchlings. Their arrival supports a conservation breeding programme, with no guest-viewing plans announced.

Four little arrivals are giving Animal Kingdom’s animal care team something to celebrate. Animals at Disney and Disney Conservation shared the news on November 2: four critically endangered Jamaican iguanas have hatched backstage at the park.

Disney has not shared the dates they hatched. November 2 is the announcement date, rather than a birthday for the group.

See Disney’s hatchling announcement ↗

An adult female Jamaican iguana photographed by Simon Tonge, shown as a species illustration rather than a Disney hatchling — A female Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei), photographed by Simon Tonge. This archival species illustration does not show Disney’s new hatchlings. Simon Tonge / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Image source → Image license →

Why these hatchlings matter

The arrivals contribute to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Jamaican Iguana Species Survival Plan. Disney says the programme helps sustain a healthy population with genetic diversity, an important part of caring for this rare species.

The announcement offers a small look at the conservation work taking place beyond the areas we see on a park visit. It does not announce a public debut for the hatchlings.

An iguana you can look for

In a comment on the announcement, Animals at Disney points visitors towards Sid in the Oasis. He is a rhinoceros iguana, a different species from the four new arrivals, and serves as an ambassador for his reptile relatives.