Three mammal families are endemic to the bioregion; the Solenodontidae includes two species of Solenodon, one species on Cuba, the other on Hispaniola.
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Ornithological Society of Hispaniola were able to take measurements and DNA from the creature before it was released.
Cuchillas del Toa is home to the highly endangered Cuban Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis bairdii), Cuban Kite (Chondrohierax wilsoni), and the Cuban Solenodon (Solenodon cubanus).