Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location	Virgin Islands, United States
Nearest city	Christiansted, VI
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, just north of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, preserves habitat for the largest remaining population of endangered Saint Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops). Much smaller populations of ground lizard live on nearby Protestant Cay (17°44′59″N 64°42′10″W) and on Ruth Island. Its extirpation from the mainland of St. Croix is generally attributed to the introduction of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). In 2008, the National Park Service reintroduce the lizard to Buck Island, translocating 57 individuals from Green Cay.

The 14-acre (0.06 km²) Green Cay is midway between the town of Christiansted and Buck Island Reef National Monument (which provides law enforcement under an interagency agreement).

Green Cay NWR is administered as part of the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife complex.

There is a smaller "Green Cay" off the coast of St. Thomas (18°18′37″N 64°54′28″W).

See also

• List of National Wildlife Refuges

External links

• Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge homepage