Sept. 18, 2005 – Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Dean C. Plaskett announced that commencing the week of Oct. 3, the Division of Fish and Wildlife in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would conduct a project to eradicate non-native rats on Buck and Capella Islands.
Lying approximately five miles southeast of Charlotte Amalie, Capella Island is a 22-acre wildlife sanctuary managed by DPNR-Division of Fish and Wildlife. Buck Island is a 41-acre federal wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Caribbean Field Office in Boqueron, Puerto Rico.
According to the press release from the DPNR, these islands are important breeding and roosting areas for migratory and resident seabirds, game birds and waterfowl. The elimination of rats will enhance the habitat of the island and reduce predation on the native wildlife. Both agencies have contracted the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services to conduct the bulk of the work, which requires placing rodenticide bait blocks. The brand of bait selected has an extremely low hazard to non-target species and has no apparent effect on crabs or reptiles, says the Fish and Wildlife division. Work is expected to continue through Oct. 19.
For more information, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 775-6762 or USFWS St. Croix office at 773-4554.
