For the first time, an invasive brown treesnake population has been found on Cocos Island, an 83.1 acre atoll located 1.5 miles off the southwest coast of Guam.
The brown treesnake was a major contributor to the loss of nine of 11 native forest birds and significant population declines of several native lizards, bats and other bird species on Guam. They now pose a threat to the wildlife of Cocos Island.
Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources is working with partners to better understand how many brown treesnakes are on the island and the best way to remove them.
“Thanks to the diligence of the members of the public who reported the brown treesnake sighting, we were able to quickly respond to the threat that the brown treesnake poses to the wildlife on Cocos Island,” said DAWR Wildlife Supervisor Diane Vice.
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Image via USGS.