Number: 1977-31
WHEREAS, the island of Desecheo off Puerto Rico’s west coast was once known to be an outstanding nesting island for approximately 15,000 sea birds; and
WHEREAS, these seabird nesting colonies have been nearly eliminated and their reproductive capabilities destroyed, apparently by the introduction of Rhesus Monkeys on the island a decade ago; and
WHEREAS, these sea bird colonies would probably reestablish themselves in the absence of the introduced Rhesus Monkeys; and
WHEREAS, the island was recently acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and
WHEREAS, the Caribbean Primate Research Center has indicated a willingness to assist the Fish and Wildlife Service in removing and relocating the monkeys from Desecheo Island;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 24-27, 1977, in Washington, D.C., hereby request that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service take immediate steps to remove or eliminate the monkeys from the island and develop it as breeding habitat for sea birds.