Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge

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) 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]

Not to be confused with Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
location in the US Virgin Islands
Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge (the U.S. Virgin Islands)
LocationVirgin Islands, United States
Nearest cityChristiansted, VI
Coordinates17°46′1″N 64°39′57″W
Area14 acres (0.06 km²)
Established1977
Visitors0 (in 2006)
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteGreen Cay National Wildlife Refuge
Designated1980

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).

Map of the US Virgin Islands

See also
  • List of National Wildlife Refuges

References
  1. Michael Louis Treglia. "A Translocated Population of the St. Croix Ground Lizard" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-01-18.



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