The Union Island wardens appear ready for warfare as they are dressed in camouflage and combat after receiving self-defense training. According to BBC, they are on a quest to conserve one of the world's tiniest species, one so rare that it only occurs in 50 hectares (123 acres) in a secluded corner of one of the Caribbean's smallest islands.
Poachers pose an insidious threat to the Union Island gecko, the size of a paperclip. Following its official discovery in 2005, the one-of-a-kind critter immediately became a sought-after collectible by collectors captivated by its gem-like markings, earning it the unfortunate reputation of being the most trafficked reptile in the Eastern Caribbean.
United Island Gecko in Jeopardy
The Union Island gecko is a small, very attractive reptile with jewel-like patterns, per Fauna & Flora International. It is named after a tiny Caribbean island belonging to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is located halfway between this nation and neighboring Grenada.
This extremely rare gecko's only known population is restricted to a 50-hectare tract of woodland on Union Island. After the species was initially characterized by science in 2005, its population quickly decreased due to rampant poaching for the illicit pet trade. By 2018, its single population was projected to be 9,960 individuals, including minors, which was just 20% of its previous number.
The Union Island gecko is highly susceptible to desiccation because of its small size. Hence it prefers to reside in wet nooks or beneath logs and rocks to prevent drying up. Not much is known about this newly found lightweight lizard's behavior and life cycle.
Despite the fact that no authorization has ever been obtained to collect or export this lizard for any reason, Union Island geckos are openly marketed online to purchasers, particularly in France, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Moreover, there is no authorization for any captive-breeding program of the lizard, but there is evidence of internet sales by breeders in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the Czech Republic.
The major threat to the Union Island gecko is illegal collecting, although it is also threatened by habitat degradation. Collectors have wreaked havoc on this little lizard's mini-refuge by tipping over rocks and tearing down logs and termite mounds. This environmental vandalism threatens the survival of remaining geckos and other native species, vulnerable to predators and drought.
United Islanders Protecting the Island's Biodiversity
Due to the increasing problem of illegal collection of United Island geckos, the island's inhabitants have taken it upon themselves to protect the fauna and flora in the area.
As BBC reported, residents have trained as wardens since 2017 to patrol the dense virgin forest on the island 24/7 to prevent any intruders with ill intentions.
In collaboration with the government's forestry department and foreign conservationists like Fauna and Flora International (FFI), their efforts have resulted in an 80% rise in population. According to a recent census, the gecko population has increased from 10,000 in 2018 to about 18,000 presently, outnumbering the island's human population by a factor of six.
Glenroy Gaymes, the government's top wildlife officer, believes community engagement has been critical. He said that many people did not know the gecko existed, so they sought to disseminate the information through roadside meetings and school programs to inform them.
They captured a specimen to bring to the consultations so people would see and know what animal they are trying to protect. Everyone was in awe and was expecting much bigger, but it was just an inch-and-a-half.
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