The growing populations of African green monkeys and green iguanas on mainland Antigua are causing significant concern among local authorities and farmers.
Senior Forestry Officer Adriel Thibou has highlighted the alarming rise in these invasive species, which are increasingly impacting the island’s agriculture and ecology.
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Estimates suggest there are now between 100 to 200 African green monkeys on the island, with some reports indicating numbers could be as high as 1,000.
“The current species of concern is the African green monkey, which we suspect has been here for about 20 years,” Thibou explained.
The Forestry Division recently visited St. Kitts and Nevis to study the primates’ behavior and explore effective management strategies, including the development of monkey traps. “If these animals become established on the mainland, it will be a serious problem,” Thibou warned.
In addition to the monkey issue, the green iguana, which is believed to have arrived from Guadeloupe, is also posing significant challenges. “We’ve been receiving numerous complaints from farmers about the green iguana’s impact on their crops,” Thibou said. The iguanas are particularly problematic in the northern areas around Clear Hall and Cades Gardens, where they have devastated crops like lettuce and spinach.
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While the green iguana has been present in Antigua for some time, its population surge has led to increased agricultural damage. “Farmers have reported losing entire crops to these iguanas,” Thibou noted.
To address these issues, the Forestry Division is implementing a monitoring and control program aimed at managing the populations of both the monkeys and the iguanas. However, this program is still in its early stages.
The authorities say they are working to mitigate the impact of these invasive species on Antigua’s agriculture and environment.
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Noget rid of them by any means possible we don’t want them here no wonder that lettuce have been so scarce. Irradiate those disgusting creatures. They are competing with our lively hood. Antiguans don’t have such on there menue we are not that country that eats everything that move. Get rid of those things fast.
get rid of them by any means possible we don’t want them here no wonder that lettuce have been so scarce. Irradiate those disgusting creatures. They are competing with our lively hood. Antiguans don’t have such on there menue we are not that country that eats everything that move. Get rid of those things fast.
Get rid of those creatures by any means possible we don’t want them here take them to the country that eats everything that move
What the hell seems to be you all damn problem you all sick my stomach stop deleting my message’s
We don’t want those creatures here get rid of them by any means possible
@Bless I can’t make my mind up if you want to get rid of these things or keep them. Please elaborate your stance on the matter.
Accords,
If these monkey get real established they will get their passport and soon be able to vote or run for election we will be outnumbered
@bless Im sure we can consider humane means of dealing with them before drastically jumping to what you are suggesting. Blessings to you.
@ Smh, good one,👍🏾 but don’t give Gassssston any ideas about monkey 🙊 passports 😂😂😂
I have not seen one monkey in Antigua for all them years I have been here. I guest need to go hiking more often.
Say goodbye to food security with these monkeys. The Kittitians envy us being able to grow food in our own yards without having to build a fortress. Most just give up. Please, let’s get these things ERADICATED.
Either catch them and export them to zoo’s or take them out. They are more boldface than us humans. We need quick action not talk shopping.
Antigua need a zoo to keep them animals. Killing them is not an option many people here on island eat iguanas. Most if not all iguanas are green in colour. According to where they are they change their colour to suit the vegetation.
Kill them all
Did the monkeys and snails come as a package deal from Africa?
Or is the Banjo_man repurposing our wildlife by design?
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