The endemic Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei) is only found in a very small area within the Hellshire Hills. Thought to be extinct since the 1940s, this beautiful animal was re-discovered in 1990 and through intense conservation efforts the population has rebounded for now. International and Jamaican agencies have long recognized that a key component to the long-term persistence for the iguana lies in reintroduction to additional predator-controlled areas, namely the Goat Islands. A biodiversity reserve established on the Goat Islands, highlighting the iguana and other iconic endemic species, has significant economic potential for ecotourism.

The recovery of the Jamaican Iguana is regarded as one of the world's most remarkable conservation success stories.