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Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources INVASIVE SPECIES COMMUNITY ERADICATION PROGRAM CERTIFICATION Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Program Overview - The Invasive Species Eradication Community Program was enacted under Act No. 8450 and is codified under 12 V.I.C. § 111-117 . The Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is enacting the mandated certification program for Wildlife Control Removal Agents and Wildlife Control Operators. - This program will provide initial training, to allow for certification through the Division of Fish and Wildlife for Wildlife Control Removal Agents and Wildlife Control Operators as part of the Invasive Species Community Eradication Program Certification. • “Wildlife Control Removal Agent” means a professional licensed by the Department of Licensing and Consumers Affairs to collect a fee for handling nuisance, vermin, or invasive species and is certified by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to handle nuisance, vermin, and invasive species. • “Wildlife Control Operator” means an individual who does not charge a fee for handling nuisance, vermin, or invasive wildlife species, but is certified by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to collect a bounty for handling nuisance, vermin, and invasive species. Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Liability Wildlife Control Removal Agents and Wildlife Control Operators: - Any interactions with wildlife poses an inherent risk and can result in injury. - All interactions with wildlife should be conducted by trained individuals. Progress Bar Program Overview Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Who can participate? - Participants must be 18 years old or above. - Participants must receive their certification card by receiving 100% on the quiz that accompanies these educational materials. - Participants must register with DFW, providing their quiz results, photo identification, and $25 registration fee. - Participants need to have a way to record GPS coordinates (a smart phone is sufficient). Progress Bar Program Overview Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Species Identification: -Invasives Species -Native Species -Snake Species -Native Nuisance Species Invasive Species Community Eradication Program Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Native Species Puerto Rican Racer Egger’s Century Plant Progress Bar -Participants are responsible for ensuring they can recognize all species. -The Virgin Islands State Wildlife Action Plan lists many of the native species here and should be used as a reference. https://dpnr.vi.gov/fish-and-wildlife/wild/ -All participants should reach out to the Division for any questions on species identification or if unusual events like death, destruction, stranding, injury or harassment of the wildlife and fish is observed. Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Native Species including but not limited to… Antillean Coqui Mute Frog VI Tree Boa Puerto Rican Racer Jamaican Fruit Bat Crested Anole Egger’s Century Plant Pearly-eyed Thrasher Yellow-crowned Night heron Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Invasive Species including but not limited to… Red-eared Slider Mongoose (bounty species) White-tailed Deer Green Iguana Cane Toad Mice & Rats Progress Bar Red-tailed boas (bounty species) Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Snakes in the Territory - What snake species are found in the USVI? - Virgin Island Tree Boa (Photo A) • (territorial and federal protection), STT & STJ - Puerto Rican Racer (Photo B) • (territorial protection), STT & STJ - Red-tailed Boa (Photo C) • (invasive, NO protection), STX - Has St. Croix ever had any native snakes? - Yes, but they are no longer here and have not been seen since 1960’s. A B C Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Native Species That May Be Nuisances Some native species found throughout the Territory may be considered nuisance species, due to their diets or behaviors. Some such species include: - Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Photo A) • Can cause damage to agricultural products. - Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Photo B) • Can cause noise disturbance to homeowners at night, due to its feeding habits. - Scaly-naped Pigeon (Photo C) and White-crowned Pigeon (Photo D) • Can be a nuisance to homeowners by defecating on vehicles while roosting on trees. Though these species can be a nuisance to individuals, response to natives should consist of all non-lethal control options first. Additional permits from the Division of Fish and Wildlife are required for lethal control options. A B C D Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Receiving Bounties Invasive Species Community Eradication Program Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources How will certified participants in the Community Eradication Program receive bounties? - The bounty for Red-tailed Boas under 4ft in length is $50 per 12 V.I.C. § 116 - The bounty for Red-tailed Boas over 4ft in length is $100 per 12 V.I.C. § 116 - The bounty for Mongoose is $0.25 / individual per 12 V.I.C. § 36 - Participants will receive a coupon for their bounty amount from DFW that they can cash out with the cashier. Progress Bar Receiving Bounties Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources What do you need to receive a bounty? - Only certified participants can receive a bounty. - Bounty species must be brought to the Division of Fish and Wildlife dead, with head recognizable and stomach contents intact. - GPS coordinates of where the animal was found and a reference photo for length must also be provided. - This will allow the Division to collect important data to help us manage invasive species populations on St. Croix. Progress Bar Receiving Bounties Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Safety Invasive Species Community Eradication Program Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Rules - Do not participate under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. - Participants must be older than 18 years of age. - Move all individuals and bystanders away from the area of wildlife encounter. - Maintain a safe distance from other hazards, including: Progress Bar Safety - Roads & motor traffic - Unstable buildings & uneven ground - Dangerous & aggressive animals - Poisonous or thorny plants - Any unknown or toxic chemicals not properly contained. Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Where can participants look for nuisance and invasive species? - On their own property. - On private property after they have clear written permission from the landowner. - On property belonging to the Government of the Virgin Islands after they have clear written permission from managing agency. - On federal property after they have clear written permission from agency. Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Materials Recommended Equipment: - Allowable tools include anything allowable in relevant sections in the American Veterinary Associations https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/avma- guidelines-euthanasia-animals - A pillowcase or plastic container can be effectively used to contain species Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources How To Catch and/or Pin a Boa - Watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ3NcYsw2nM - Ensure the area you found the boa is free from other hazards. - Approach the snake from behind and pin its head down with a forked stick or pole. - Keep pressure on the stick and ensure it is right behind the boa’s head. Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Euthanasia Methods for Wildlife - There is an ethical obligation to ensure the animal is killed in a humane manner that results in immediate loss of consciousness and destruction of the brain. - Potential Wildlife Agents and Operators should familiarize themselves with acceptable methods, as listed in AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition found here: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/avma-guidelines-euthanasia- animals Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources How to Euthanize Nuisance Species - There is an ethical obligation to ensure that animals are killed in a humane manner that results in immediate loss of consciousness and destruction of the brain. - Once an animal is pinned down, crush the brain with a quick blow to the head using a hammer, or pierce the brain with the tip of a sharp machete. - Secondary decapitation may be used on animals. Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources How to Euthanize a Red-tailed Boa for a bounty - Captured boas must be euthanized on site. Transportation of live animals is not allowed. - The Red-tailed Boas captured for this bounty program must be humanely euthanized. - No projectile weapons are allowed. This includes all firearms and bows. - No animal poisons or other chemicals are allowed. Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Responding To Calls From Property Owners With Nuisance Bats - To remove a bat colony, chemical poisons or repellents are illegal. These methods can cause harm to the owner and other inhabitants, as well as expose them to disoriented or dying bats. - Moth balls or flakes (naphthalene), sulfur candles, or electromagnetic or ultrasonic sound devices do not provide a permanent form of bat removal from the property. - Sealing all points of access to the area used by the colony (i.e., exclusion) is the safest and most permanent method to remove a bat colony. Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Bat Proofing There are three (3) steps to successfully bat-proof the building: - Stage a “bat watch” to identify all bat entrances. - Seal all holes and entrances to prevent entry. - Provide alternative roost (bat box) for the colony to occupy. - Exclusion methods should be avoided during the timeframe when pups (i.e., baby bats) are still roosting (normally from May through November) - For further information or clarifications, agent or operator may contact DFW or visit the DFW website (https://dpnr.vi.gov/fish-and-wildlife/wild/) for more information on dealing with nuisance bats. Progress Bar Safety Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Certification Invasive Species Community Eradication Program Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Next Steps - Take the accompanying quiz. Once you receive a score of 100%, email or bring proof of your results to the Division of Fish and Wildlife offices in St. Croix at 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted or in St. Thomas at the Red Hook Fish & Wildlife office with your $25 exam fee. Link to Quiz: https://forms.office.com/r/msBARdVMW6 - Bring a photo ID, your email address, and $25 to pay the administrative certification fee. - Be prepared to sign a waiver of liability. - Staff will register you and provide you with a certification card. Progress Bar Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources - Division staff will register you and provide you with a certification card. - All certified Wildlife Control Removal Agents and Wildlife Control Operators are asked to submit incident reports using the Wildlife Control Report Form. - The electronic data collection form will be provided upon certification. Progress Bar Next Steps Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources ALL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS INFORMATION