On Galápagos Island, the first pink iguana hatchlings were discovered.

 Scientists on the Galápagos Islands have been researching the final remaining population of highly endangered pink iguanas for the past 10 months with seven trips. There are 200 to 300 individuals in the population, which has been ageing and dropping over the past ten years, raising fears that the species would go extinct.

The first known pink iguana nesting sites and hatchlings have now been identified by experts, who have made a significant discovery.

The discovery is the first instance of young pink iguanas since the species was discovered in 2009. Only elderly pink iguanas were previously observed in the area.

According to Reuters, Danny Rueda, the director of the Galápagos National Park, states in a statement that "this discovery marks a huge step forward, which allows us to define a strategy moving ahead to conserve the pink iguana."

The Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island, the highest volcano in the Galápagos, is home to the whole world's population of pink iguanas. Conservationists concealed dozens of cameras across the volcano to record the pink iguanas' breeding behaviours.

The cameras also assisted in identifying wild cats as the primary predator killing baby iguanas. Since the hatchlings are simple food for the cats, they gather close to the nesting places and murder the young. For the past ten years, baby iguanas have not survived long enough to procreate, according to scientists, who believe cats have been preying on them. ​

Despite being found by park rangers in 1986, it took scientists decades to classify the pink iguana as a distinct species. Baby pink iguanas are anything but pink, despite their name. The brilliant yellow-green hue of the juvenile reptiles has distinctive black striping. The reptiles don't receive their pink coloration until they're older. According to Reuters, the iguanas may reach a maximum length of 18.5 inches.

The first hope for preventing the extinction of this unique species has been provided by the discovery of the first-ever nest and juvenile pink iguanas, as well as proof of the crucial dangers to their existence. Galápagos Conservancy President Paul Salaman stated in a statement. "Now, the effort to conserve the pink iguana starts."

Iniciativa Galápagos, a collaboration between the Galápagos Conservancy and Galápagos National Park Directorate to protect and restore the Ecuadorian islands, including the hunt for the endangered reptiles.

Iniciativa Galápagos researchers are now concentrating on safeguarding and keeping an eye on the nesting spots after discovering the nesting locations and hatchlings. The Galápagos Conservancy provided funding for the construction of a field station with a 360-degree view of Wolf Volcano to protect against poaching and animal trafficking activities in order to support these conservation efforts. According to Rueda's statement, "This remote base will assist conservation and monitoring operations on the volcano, helping to ensure the conservation and restoration of the Pink Iguana population."