Invasive Species

Brown Treesnake

(BTS) have eliminated 10 of the 13 native bird, most lizard, and bat species on the island of Guam, are responsible for large economic losses from damaged electrical lines and resultant power outages, and poses a hazard to human safety from bites.  APHIS, Wildlife Services (WS), continued to prevent the unintentional introduction of the BTS from Guam to other Pacific Islands, Hawaii, and the continental United States in FY 2008.  The Agency intercepted 12,212 BTS on Guam or near ports of exit.  APHIS, WS, National Wildlife Research Center scientists at the Fort Collins, Colorado, headquarters conducted an economic assessment of a hypothetical translocation of the BTS from the Territory of Guam to the Hawaiian Islands.  The total annual projected economic impact of the translocation of BTS to Hawaii was estimated to fall within the range of $473 million to $1.8 billion.  These projections underscore the value of a BTS interdiction and control program on Guam. 

For more information: 

• What Wildlife Services is doing to address the threats
• What Wildlife Services’ National Wildlife Research Center is learning about this species
• Information About The Species: Brown Tree Snake