Michael Evans
Refuge Manager

 Directions to Refuge

 Fact Sheet

Refuge Facts

• Established: 1977.
• Acres: 14.
• Location: The island is directly off the north coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Administered under Caribbean Islands NWR office.

Natural History

• Thirty-three thousand conch shells buried under volcanic rock tell of almost 1,000 years of human occcupancy.
• This island provides critical habitat for one of only two remaining natural populations of the endangered St. Croix ground lizard. Its extirpation in recent times is generally attributed to the introduction of the small Indian mongoose.
• Outcrops of lava, tuffs and bressias are prominent geologic features.

Financial Impact of Refuge

• No staff.
• No visitors annually.

Refuge Objectives

To maintain the natural island ecosystem, protecting the endangered St. Croix ground lizard and colonial nesting birds.

Management Tools

• Law enforcement.

Questions and Answers

Is the refuge open to the public?

No, this island refuge is closed due to fragile habitat and easily-disturbed wildlife such as the endangered St. Croix ground lizard (extirpated from the main island of St. Croix).

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