National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)

Brown Treesnake Research at NWRC

Native bird populations were absent from all but the northern third of Guam by 1970. Today, of the 12 native species of forest birds on Guam, only the Mariana Crow, the island swiftlet and the Micronesian starling survive in the wild, with the crow population on the verge of extinction. Other birds have been taken into captive breeding programs. Bat populations on Guam have declined along with the bird populations. In fact, most of the island’s native terrestrial vertebrates have been extirpated.
A major cause of the decline of these species is an introduced predator—the brown treesnake. The treesnake, native to Australia, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and Indonesia, was most likely accidentally introduced to Guam through post World War II cargo shipments.

Since 1995, NWRC has received funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Legacy Resource Management Program to research methods to manage brown treesnakes. The DoD is the steward of about 25 million acres of land in the United States. These lands are varied and often rich in threatened and endangered species, critical habitats, and sensitive ecosystems. The Legacy Program, established in 1990, provides funding for the DoD’s efforts to “enhance stewardship on military lands while supporting the military mission." The NWRC has also received funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs.

Management of the brown treesnake, through the development of integrated strategies, is aimed at preventing its dispersal through cargo; containing incoming snakes at destinations; reclaiming areas on Guam for reintroduction of native wildlife; protecting endangered species and other wildlife, improving public health; and protecting power stations and other sensitive locations from intrusion. To achieve these aims, brown treesnake research efforts at NWRC encompass development of repellents, attractants, toxicants, fumigants, reproductive inhibitors and improved trapping methods.

Treesnake video

Project Homepage
Accomplishments
Fumigants and Toxicants
Lures and Attractants
Publications
Repellents
Reproductive Inhibition
Trapping