Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
location in the US Virgin Islands
Map showing the location of Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge (the U.S. Virgin Islands)
Location Virgin Islands, United States
Nearest city Christiansted, VI
Coordinates 17°46′1″N 64°39′57″W / 17.76694°N 64.66583°W / 17.76694; -64.66583Coordinates: 17°46′1″N 64°39′57″W / 17.76694°N 64.66583°W / 17.76694; -64.66583
Area 14 acres (0.06 km²)
Established 1977
Visitors 0 (in 2006)
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
Designated 1980

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, preserves habitat for the largest remaining population of endangered Saint Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops). Much smaller populations of ground lizard live on nearby Protestant Cay (17°44′59″N 64°42′10″W / 17.74972°N 64.70278°W / 17.74972; -64.70278) and on Ruth Island. Its extirpation from the mainland of St. Croix is generally attributed to the introduction of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). In 2008, the National Park Service reintroduce the lizard to Buck Island, translocating 57 individuals from Green Cay.[1]

The 14-acre (0.06 km²) Green Cay is midway between the town of Christiansted and Buck Island Reef National Monument (which provides law enforcement under an interagency agreement).

Green Cay NWR is administered as part of the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife complex.

There is a smaller "Green Cay" off the coast of St. Thomas (18°18′37″N 64°54′28″W / 18.31028°N 64.90778°W / 18.31028; -64.90778).

Map of the US Virgin Islands

See also

References

  1. ↑ Michael Louis Treglia. "A Translocated Population of the St. Croix Ground Lizard" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-01-18.


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