Report; Population Assessment of the Endangered St. Croix Ground Lizard (Ameiva polops), Protestant Cay

Geographic Consulting’s Biologist, Liz Zimmer, marks a St. Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops) during a population assessment of Protestant Cay, St. Croix, US VIRgin Islands

Geographic Consulting has completed and released their report on the Endangered St Croix Ground Lizard (Ameiva polops) population at Protestant Cay, St. Croix US Virgin Islands. The report was prepared for the US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The report compares two population estimation methods and finds the ‘mark/resight’ technique or paint marking method to be a better

The federally endangered St. Croix Ground Lizard blends in with its habitat

population estimator. The Protestant Cay population of the St. Croix ground lizard is estimated at just under 400 individuals in 2012, despite substantial habitat disturbance that year. This is an increase from previous years and an encouraging sign that the methodologies for estimating the elusive lizards population are effective and that the management practices that have been implemented are beginning to make a difference.

Download a full copy of this report from our publications page