Final Phase of the Removal of Australian Pine from White Cay, Bahamas

Edgar M. Fortune


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9 Dec 2010

Removal of the Invasive Species Australian Pine from White Cay, Bahamas

The project goal is to remove the last of the invasive Australian pine from Sandy Cay. This will ensure the survival of the critically endangered White Cay iguana.

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Global Insular Conservation Society and advisors plan to spend 10-14 days on White Cay and Exuma. We plan to cut large trees (4" or thicker) with a chainsaw 6" to the base of the tree. Then we will apply the herbicide, Brush and stump killer 8 .5 garlone which has been approved by the Bahamas government.

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It will be painted on with a brush to avoid environmental contamination. This method has been proven successful in phase I and II of this project. The proper safety equipment will be worn at all times to protect human life from contamination from chemicals. In addition safety gear for chain saws will be worn.

The smaller trees and young growth will cut with loppers; hand saw or pulled out by hand with gloves and herbicide painted on. All of the brush, branches, and large limbs will be put in a large pile far away from the main island habitat on the beach. In several piles it will be torched with gasoline.

This method was proven to be very successful in the previous eradication and only takes about 20 minutes to burn completely. At this time the fire is closely monitored by all involved. Finally, the brush ends up as ashes. Invasive species have become a threat to many species throughout the world. On small fragile island ecosystems with critically endangered species it is very important that invasive species are monitored, controlled and removed when possible. On this same small island in the early 90's one Racoon and introduced black rats almost imperil the iguana population on White Cay. The population was less than 200 animals, currently around 1500. The timescale to complete will be 10-14 days.

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