Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge

Not to be confused with Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
location in the US Virgin Islands Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge (the U.S. Virgin Islands)
Location	Virgin Islands, United States
Nearest city	Christiansted, VI
Coordinates	17°46′1″N 64°39′57″W
Area	14 acres (0.06 km²)
Established	1977
Visitors	0 (in 2006)
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated	1980

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge, encompasses the 6 ha (14 acre) island of Green Cay lying midway between the town of Christiansted and Buck Island Reef National Monument, just north of Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands of the Caribbean. It is administered as part of the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife complex. There is a smaller "Green Cay" off the coast of Saint Thomas (18°18′37″N 64°54′28″W).

Wildlife

Saint Croix ground lizard

The wildlife refuge preserves habitat for the largest remaining population of the endangered Saint Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops). Much smaller populations of ground lizards live on nearby Protestant Cay (17°44′59″N 64°42′10″W) and on Ruth Island. Its extirpation from the mainland of Saint Croix is generally attributed to the introduction of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). In 2008, the National Park Service reintroduced the lizard to Buck Island, translocating 57 individuals from Green Cay.

Important Bird Area

Green Cay has, along with the nearby Southgate Coastal Reserve, been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because they support populations of green-throated caribs, Antillean crested hummingbirds, American coots, brown pelicans, laughing gulls, least terns, royal terns, Caribbean elaenias and pearly-eyed thrashers.

See also

• List of National Wildlife Refuges

External links

• Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge homepage