Number: 1988-05
WHEREAS, the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is an aggressive, venomous snake native to Papua, New Guinea and northern Melanesia, which was accidentally introduced to Guam in the late 1940s; and
WHEREAS, brown tree snakes are particularly successful in island environments where they have no natural enemies and where birds have evolved without having to avoid predatory snakes; and
WHEREAS, the brown tree snake has reached high population levels, and has become a harmful introduced pest in Guam and has virtually eliminated the native bird fauna; and
WHEREAS, these snakes are also capable of destroying wildlife species other than native birds; and
WHEREAS, these snakes have been found in Pohnpei, in shipping crates and lumber, with their origin suspected of being Guam; and
WHEREAS, the current state of limited surveillance for these snakes at airport terminals and docks, both private and government controlled, is conducive to their entry into Hawaii, other states, and other islands; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii has 46 species and subspecies of land birds found nowhere else in the world, of which 30 are already considered in danger of becoming extinct;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1988, in New Orleans, Louisiana requests the Federal, State, and Territorial governments work cooperatively to develop and implement a comprehensive management plan which will:
- prevent the immigration of the brown tree snake from Guam to other islands and states in the Pacific region, including Hawaii;
- eradicate the brown tree snake as soon as practicable on any island or state where, despite all preventive efforts it is introduced and found alive; and
- control or eradicate the snake in Guam.