Staff from the St. Maarten Nature Foundation together with staff from the St. Eustatius National Parks Office STENAPA recently attended a three day Feral Animal Control workshop, from the 1st to the 4th of March 2011.
The main focus of this workshop was to train participants in effective methods of controlling feral animals in each participant's respective location. Feral animals pose a significant threat to the ecosystem of islands, particularly to the reptile and bird population. Specific attention was given to mongoose, rats, cats, dogs and wild livestock, all of which harm the local bird, sea turtle and reptile populations. A portion of the workshop was also dedicated to raccoons, which are increasingly encountered on the island and which pose a significant public health through the possible transmission of rabies.
St. Maarten has significant problems with regards to feral animals. The theoretical and practical training given at the workshop has given participants greater insight and expertise regarding the controlling, handling and disposing of feral animal species.
The Nature Foundation is currently in the process of developing a pilot study which will hope to research the number of feral animals and the threats they pose to the population. Special focus will be placed on the raccoon population since they pose the most significant risk to the health of the population and the ecosystem. If residents encounter a Raccoon they are urged to contact the Nature Foundation on 5444267, 5270490 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the Nature Foundation Facebook page Facebook/ St. Maarten Nature Foundation. The workshop was organized by the Jost van Dyke preservation society and funded by FERA and OTEP and travel expenses were generously covered by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance.
