World's rarest snake making a comeback
Jeremy Hancemongabay.com
November 02, 2010
"I am proud we proved the pessimists wrong, and turned the fortunes of this unique and endearing animal. Many people have contributed over the years, but special credit must go to the local volunteers," said Dr. Jenny Daltry, Senior Conservation Biologist with Fauna and Flora International (FFI). FFI is a part of the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project, which includes five other international and local conservation organizations
 The Antiguan racer (Alsophis antiguae). Photo by: Jenny Daltry with FFI. |
"Although the population of the racer has grown by leaps, we cannot stop now," says Natalya Lawrence, Program Coordinator for the Environmental Awareness Group, a member of the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project. "There is still a need for public awareness, continued monitoring, and stronger laws to protect the snake and other endangered species on our islands."
Threats remain for the snake, categorized as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, including climate change impacts such as rises in sea level or worsening hurricanes, which could swamp the islands. Researchers are currently looking for higher areas to reintroduce the species.
Conservation efforts for the Antiguan racers have helped other species as well. Eradicating rats from the snake's previous habitat has allowed the island bird population to expand 30-fold in just 15 years. Among the first islands to see rats removed, Caribbean brown pelicans have expanded from two breeding pairs to 60, and white-crowned pigeons (listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List) have gone from five pairs to 450. Scientists have also seen benefits for island lizards, sea turtles (the rats preyed on their eggs), and even plants.
The success to date of the Antiguan racer is representative of a recent report by the IUCN which found that, while one-fifth of the world's vertebrates were threatened with extinction, targeted conservation action has been effective in saving some species from the brink. The report also found that conservationists were most successful when fighting off invasive species, rather than other large threats such as habitat loss or overconsumption.
Harmless to humans, the slim Antiguan racer ambushes lizards for food.
An Antiguan racer on Great Bird Island. Photo by: Jenny Daltry with FFI.
Great Bird Island. Photo by: Jenny Daltry with FFI.
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