The Antiguan racer is considered to be the world’s rarest snake and also the world’s most endangered species. The scientific name for the Antiguan racer is Alsophis antiguae. The snake is non-poisonous and has a grey-brown appearance. Antigua, a small island in the Caribbean is the only place on planet earth where the snake is known to exist. Currently, it is thought that only approximately two hundred of these rare snakes are alive (Daltry et al, 2004c).
The Antiguan racer was thought to be extinct at a point in history and was only rediscovered in the late 1980s. The snake was rediscovered on an isolated islet the snake Although it has presently been declared as the world as endangered species, it was not until I991 that Awareness of the plight of the Antiguan racer was raised by Sajdak and Henderson. This was done in an article in the journal Oryx which was published the same year. In the year 1996, this species of snakes was listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered(Daltry et al, 2004c).This came about as a result of a six week survey that was conducted in the year 1995. The aim of the survey, which was conducted on Great Bird Island, was to determine the status of the Antiguan racer. The mark-recapture method was used to estimate the number of snakes on the island. Transponders were fixed on the skins of the captured snakes before being released. The survey estimated that there were only about 51 snakes alive at that time. The factors affecting the number of snakes were also considered (Daltry et al, 2004c).
The findings of the survey were quite alarming and they led to efforts to conserve the Antiguan racer.
The survey results showed that the near extinction of the snake species was caused by a combination of factors. One of these factors was the destruction of its natural habitat by the activities of man. it was found that some of the snakes were being killed by people who feared them. The other reason that led to a low number of these snakes was the presence of black rats. the rats continually fed on the eggs of the snake thereby reducing the number of offspring (Henderson, 1992). Mongoose was also a contributor to the problem. This is because the mongooses which were introduced to eliminate rats fed on the snakes instead. the reason for this was that both the mongoose and the snake are diurnal whereas the rats are nocturnal. The mongoose fed on the snakes during the day (Henderson, 1992).
The survey also showed that the diminishing number of prey on the island contributed to the low number of snakes. The snakes were competing for limited food leading to the starvation and even death of some.
It became apparent that there was a need to conserve this species. The Antiguan Racer Conservation Project (ARCP) was immediately formed as a result. The project is run by the Antiguan Forestry Unit, Fauna & Flora International, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Environmental Awareness Group, Black Hills State University and Island Resources Foundation (Daltry, 2006a).
The project aimed at the restoration of the threatened species. Various actions were taken to conserve the Antiguan racer.
Elimination of rats and mongoose
One of the actions taken to conserve the Antiguan Racer was to control the invasive species i.e. rats and mongoose. Following the results of the survey it became apparent that the black rats had to be eliminated. (Daltry et al, 2004c).
With the elimination of the rats, islands are made available for future reintroduction of the Antiguan Racer.
A second-generation anticoagulant was used to eliminate the rats. The coagulant which is highly toxic to rats was impregnated into a bitter-tasting wax block. The wax block is inedible to birds and reptiles so they remained unaffected. It took 7 days to eradicate the rats on Great Bird Island. A total of 730 bait stations were used. The presence of rats is still constantly checked to ensure the snakes are not endangered again by these rats. Mongoose was also eliminated from the island to conserve the snakes.
Conservation breeding
Conservation breeding was also attempted but it was found that it is difficult for the snakes to survive in environments other than the island (Daltry et al, 2004c). The racers who were taken to a zoo in New Jersey soon died. Despite this, valuable lessons were learned and these have aided in other conservation efforts. The knowledge of the susceptibility of the Antiguan snakes to environments other than the Islands was used as a basis to determine where to relocate them.
Reintroduction of the Antiguan racer to other islands
Reintroduction has also been used as a means of conserving snakes. The size of Great Bird Island is too small to support a large population of snakes. The survey showed that the amount of prey on the island was not enough to support the expected population of the snakes. An alternative habitat was thought to be a plausible solution. There was a need to find an environment similar to Great Bird Island. This led to efforts to reintroduce the snakes to islets where rats and other predators have been eradicated (Daltry, 2006c).
One such reintroduction was carried out in the year 1999; racers of various sizes were translocated to a nearby islet, Rabbit Island. In this initial reintroduction, five female and five male racers were trans-located. This relieved the Great Bird Island where it appeared that the snakes were starving. The completion for food was reduced by this removal.
Rabbit Island was chosen for the relocation because of the dense forest that covers it, the absence of mongooses, and a large number of prey. The island was also chosen because rats had been eliminated from it and it was not adversely affected by floods and hurricanes (Daltry, 2006c).
A second reintroduction was later carried out in 2003 and 2004 when twenty racers were trans-located. Out of these 11 were from Great Bird Island while the other 9 were from Rabbit Island.
In 2005, 16 more racers were trans-located to Green Island from Great Bird Island.
The reasons for the selection of Green Island were as a reintroduction site, were somewhat similar to the ones for Rabbit Island. One of the reasons is that many areas on the island are over 5 m above sea level. These areas are therefore less susceptible to flooding in the event of hurricanes (Daltry et al, 2004c).
The other reason is that the island offers a diversity of suitable habitats.
The island has a littoral forest, sandy beaches, and rocky cliffs which are indeed very good habitats. There also is the presence of dense thorn bushes and agaves on the island which deter people from visiting it and interfering.
Food will not be a problem as prey species on the island are of high diversity and as well as high density that the island is inhabited was also a major plus. With the potential of increase in population the relatively large size of the island was also considered. It also did not have mongooses inhabiting it and the rats had been successfully eliminated. These efforts have been generally successful (Daltry, 2006b). the racers adjusted well to the new surrounding and the presence of offspring showed that they could successfully breed in their new home. it is also noteworthy that the relocation showed that the island could hold an even greater population of racers.
Education
Another effort to conserve the snake is made through the use of education. The school curriculum is being used to make the people of Antigua aware of the plight of the snake. The general public is also targeted by awareness campaigns by using public talks were also used to raise awareness. It was realized that tourists and locals killed the snakes when they encountered them. This was because people feared snakes. After all, they thought that snakes are naturally poisonous.
An attempt to eliminate the fear and subsequent killing of the snakes were made through awareness campaigns. people are made to know that the snakes are quite harmless to human beings at least as far as poison is involved (Daltry, 2006c).
Televised documentaries about the Antiguan racer are also being used to ensure people learn more about the racer. Through education, tourists and locals are being not encouraged to light any fires or touch any racers in case they come into contact. People are being continuously reassured that the racers are harmless. Antiguans are also being encouraged to take pride in their gentle snake. Now that people realize how unique the snake is, it is much safer (Daltry, 2006c).
Research is also being conducted to frequently evaluate the effectiveness of conservation methods. The snakes are also being continuously being monitored using the transponders that are placed on the bodies of the snakes. Monitoring ensures that the conservation plans have adhered to the achievements made in conservation are noted and where any efforts are not productive, they are re-evaluated and better plans are made. Through research and coordination with experts, better methods of conserving the precious snake are found (Daltry, 2006c).
Conclusion
The extinction of species of flora and fauna is a major problem in our world as among other things, it robs us of the opportunity to see these beautiful and fascinating creatures. As such, it is therefore important that we do our best to preserve the existing species for the coming generations. The Antiguan racer is a very special and rare creature and it would be a shame if the species is lost forever. It is encouraging to ecologists and all humans alike to know that the snake is not being ignored and that greater awareness has led to conservation efforts that have worked. Efforts to conserve endangered species generally and the rare Antiguan racer, in particular, should continue without fail.
Bibliography
Daltry J, et al. Five years of conserving the world’s rarest snake’, the Antiguan racer Alsophis antiguae : Oryx, April 2004.
The authors describe the Antiguan racer, its characteristics and habitat. the threats that face this snakes and make endangered are explained. Finally conservation methods applied to counter these threats. This material is well researched and therefore fully detailed. I find it very relevant to this essay.
Daltry J. Control of the black rat Rattus rattus for the conservation of the Antiguan racer Alsophis antiguae on Great Bird Island, Antigua. :Conservation Evidence, 3, 27-28., 2006a.
The author gives an explanation of why and how rats were eliminated in Antigua. It also includes an elaboration of the consequences of this action especially on the population of endangered species of snakes. Jenny Daltry, a conservation biologist who works with Fauna & Flora International. She specializing in biodiversity surveys and the
management of critically endangered species. Dr Daltry is the UK Co-ordinator of the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project and recently received the Iris Darnton
Daltry J. Reintroduction of the critically endangered Antiguan racer Alsophis antiguae to Green Island, Antigua.Conservation Evidence, 3, 36-38. 2006b.
The author, Jenny Daltry gained her PhD from the University of Aberdeen after conducting research on Asian pit vipers. In this writing she explains how the endangered snakes were reintroduced to Green Island. She also gives concise reasons for this and therefore very useful for this essay.
Daltry J.C.The effect of black rat Rattus rattus control on the population of the Antiguan racer snake Alsophis antiguae on Great Bird Island, Antigua Conservation Evidence, 2006c.
In this writing, the author explains the reasons for removal of black rats from Antigua, she also explains how they were removed and the consequence of the removal. The author has spent 12 years working on a diverse range of wildlife conservation projects in the Indian Subcontinent, South-east Asia and the Caribbean. The effects of the removal of the black rats are well explained. This is especially so because background information on the harm they is also provided. In general all the works of Daltry listed here including this one have proved to be useful if not necessary as they contained the desired facts.
Henderson R. Consequences of Predator Introductions and Habitat Destruction on Amphibians and Reptiles in the Post-Columbus West Indies: Caribbean Journd of Science, Vol. 28, No 1-2,:1-10, 1992.
in this writing, the author explains the ways in which the introduction of predators such as the mongoose have affected animals in the west Indies. I have found this material quite useful as it presents a broad perspective of the effects of introducing the said predators to amphibians and reptiles.