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What Has Been Accomplished So Far?
By this time, you have done a great deal of reading regarding the magnitude of the problems caused by the brown Treesnake impacting Guam, the biology of the brown Treesnake, and current efforts for controlling it. You are probably wondering what advancements have been made through the research and planning dedicated to this problem and what efforts are underway working toward a solution. This page provide a list of the products and progress that have been accomplished relating to the task of understanding and controlling the brown Treesnake. These outcomes have resulted from the programs funded by the Office of Insular Affairs' Brown Treesnake Program in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Wildlife Services, and other government agencies.
I. Research on Control Tools and Strategies:
Developed an effective snake trap, including the traps in use by Department of Defense (DOD)- and Department of the Interior (DOI)-funded programs conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Guam and in the Northern Marianas. This was accomplished over several years, and refinement of primary and alternative traps continues with collaboration between USGS and Wildlife Services.
Demonstrated feasibility of snake barriers for excluding snakes from high priority areas. These have been deployed on Guam for restoration of endangered species and for major military training exercises, and elsewhere in the Northern Marianas to contain snakes in the transportation network.
Completed experimeterental evaluation of permanent snake barriers resistant to typhoons, rodents, and human damage important to recovery of Guam's endangered wildlife and the protection of electrical equipment.
Conducted laboratory and field research on artificial baits and attractants important to the future improvement of toxic baiting and trapping programs.
Researched cargo fumigants for snakes. Research in this area continues, as the need for an array of environmentally feasible products remains.
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II. Biological Studies Relevant to Control of the Brown Tree Snake:
Developed and assessed new and standardized techniques for monitoring snakes (predators) and other insular fauna (prey) in various habitat types with evaluation of episodic and long-term shifts in abundances.
Assessed snake densities, population trends, behavior, and habitat use on Guam. (Essential to design and evaluation of DOD/USDA management program.)
Developed primary technical expertise on snake biology and control within USGS. (In support of DOI agencies as well as DOD, USDA, and programs on Guam, in the State of Hawaii, Northern Marianas, other U.S. flag islands, and international cooperators.)
Developed primary study protocols, research planning, and feasibility assessments of future research tools (e.g., biological control, chemical toxicants, lighting and chemical repellents, integrated pest management).
Compiled primary evaluations of prey resources and island ecosystem effects.
Published a book on snake control (Cornell University Press, 1999) and a diverse array of technical publications (see bibliography).
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III. Evaluation of Economic Damages Due to Snake:
Provided technical assistance to Naval Public Works and Guam Power Authority on management of snakes on a power grid for the entire island. Two papers were published on electrical outage problems due to snakes.
Evaluated agricultural damages due to predation on poultry, pets, and other domesticated animals. One paper was published.
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IV. Documentation of Dispersal of Snakes to Island and Mainland Situations:
Documented reports of brown Treesnakes dispersing to 10 oceanic islands in Pacific and Indian Ocean regions as well as Australia, North America, Europe, and islands near southeast Asia.
Provided technical assistance to Northern Mariana Islands on interdiction and trapping. Intensive trapping effort with 60,000 trap nights expended on Saipan.
Conducted workshops on risks and management of the problem on 14 islands in the Western Pacific Region.
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V. Documentation of Snakebite Risks, Venom Characteristics, and Human Health Issues:
Provided technical assistance and information offered to emergency medical personnel on Guam.
Established overview of symptoms and signs from more than 150 snakebite cases. Three papers were published.
Conducted laboratory assessments of toxicity, venom yield, and venom characteristics relevant to evaluating snake bite risks for children and adults.
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VI. Conservation of Biological Resources:
Participated in endangered species assessments; a special National Research Council task force; and a variety of studies on Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge, military lands, and other areas in direct support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DoD, and other governmental organizations.
Conducted distributional studies of reptiles on Guam, satellite islands near Guam, and islands in the Northern Marianas. Fieldwork has documented occurrence of two species previously thought to be extinct on Guam and relictual populations of several other vertebrate species.
Release of the Guam rail in natural habitats on Northern Guam and an experimeterental population on Rota employing barrier and trapping methods.
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VII. Education, Outreach, and Information Dissemination:
Participated in public education programs on Guam (e.g., National Wildlife Refuge).
Maintained primary information on the Worldwide Web site: http://www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/bts.shtml
Published a comprehensive book and more than 100 papers, reports, and other products on the snake and related topics.
Disseminated information in Brown Treesnake Update (newsletter format) and Brown Treesnake Listserver (electronic mail to all subscribers).
Produced the Brown Treesnake Control Plan and Integrated Pest Management Approaches (in cooperation with Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and FWS).
Organized a number of technical meetings for managers and scientific communities.
Provided technical information in useful formats for print, video, and television media outlets.
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