Army of islanders to protect gecko the size of a paperclip

[Judi Lynn]

Published
5 days ago



Union Island wardens pose for a photo IMAGE SOURCE,COURTESY ROXANNE FROGET

Union Island wardens are trained to protect the area's fauna and flora

By Gemma Handy
St John's, Antigua

Dressed in camouflage and combats and with self-defence training under their belts, the Union Island wardens look prepped for battle.

They are in fact on a mission to protect one of the world's tiniest species - one so rare it exists in just 50 hectares (123 acres) in a remote corner of one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean.

The Union Island gecko is the size of a paperclip, critically endangered and facing an insidious enemy - poachers.

Following its official discovery in 2005, the unique creature quickly became a coveted curio by collectors enthralled by its gem-like markings, earning it the dubious distinction of the most trafficked reptile in the Eastern Caribbean.



Close-up of a Union Island gecko IMAGE SOURCE,FFI/J BOCK
The tiny Union Island gecko is threatened by poachers, but wardens are on patrol to protect it

More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64026176

[wryter2000]

1. What a beautiful creature

I hope they can protect it. They may need to breed some in captivity if they can.

[Judi Lynn]

3. I agree! It seems too perfect to be real! Very thought-provoking.

It would be so right to find a way to create a totally safe habitat where they could be protected, and allowed to grow in number without any predators or lethal pollution.

[Deuxcents]

2. What makes some people destroy any form of wildlife?

We haven’t even discovered what we share this earth with..plants or animals. Burn down rainforests that could hold the plant compounds to cure our cancers. Kill beautiful animals for trophies. I’ll never understand..