Antiguan racer  (Alsophis antiguae)

This snake was once common in Antigua, but by the twentieth century it had completely disappeared from the island and was thought to be extinct, mainly as a result of the introduction of two species (4). Black and brown rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) were accidentally brought to the West Indies on foreign ships from Europe, wreaking havoc on endemic wildlife including the Antiguan racer whose eggs and young were preyed upon (4). Then in the late 19th Century the Asian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) was introduced in an effort to control rat populations in sugar cane plantations. These quickly established themselves and systematically drove many species of terrestrial reptiles and ground-nesting birds to extinction or near-extinction; amongst them the Antiguan racer (3). To make matters worse, many Antiguans and visiting tourists wrongly believed the racer to be dangerous, and snakes were often killed on sight (5).

In 1989, the believed extinct Antiguan racer was rediscovered on Great Bird Island where it was indeed facing imminent extinction. By 1995, only about 60 racers survived, and most had been severely injured by rats (5). A conservation initiative sprang into action to save this species; Fauna and Flora International, the Antigua Forestry Unit, the Island Resources Foundation, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Environmental Awareness Group and Black Hills State University joined forces to create the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project (2). This award-winning project led to the eradication of rats and mongooses from Great Bird Island and 11 other offshore islands, an extensive study programme, and a very active education initiative for local people and visiting tourists (2).

The results were highly successful and in 1999 ten snakes were re-introduced onto another small island that had been cleared of rats (4). The Antiguan racer was also bred in captivity for the first time, although severe problems were encountered (2). Despite these conservation successes, there are still fewer than 150 Antiguan racers in existence (5). Work remains ongoing, population numbers continue to be monitored and constant vigilance is needed to ensure that rats or mongooses do not return to the islands (4). Now something of a national celebrity, the future is slightly brighter for one of the world's rarest animals.