Evidence Backs Guam Rep's Invasive Species Act

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News Analysis

Evidence Backs Guam Rep's Invasive Species Act

News Analysis

Written by Jeff Marchesseault

Thursday, 02 July 2009 15:41

By Jeff Marchesseault

GUAM - Invasive species are among "the biggest threats to the world's imperiled species".

According to Scientific American, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has found that deforestation, pollution, poaching and invasive species top the list of animal endangerment factors.

The report, released once every four years, may spell good timing for Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo's House Resolution No. 669, The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act. The pending legislation has sparked a firestorm of controversy and debate among pet industry experts, environmentalists and animal protection groups with divergent interests at stake.

Bordallo, who recognizes the need to reign in the problem for her island and the nation, has nonetheless admitted that the language of the bill may merit adjustment before it can be enacted into law:

"We recognize the bill is by no means perfect, and that changes will be needed to address various concerns before any legislation moves forward."

--Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo's response during an April 23, 2009 Congressional Committee hearing on House Resolution 669, The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act.

To illustrate the decimating impact of certain invasive species to nonnative habitats, Scientific American cites Guam's bird-decimating brown tree snake problem:

Scientists have amassed the most detailed data yet on the world's 1360 imperiled bird species, and the picture isn't pretty. Climate change is number eight on the threat list, affecting about 200 species in total. More critical for these birds today are agriculture, hunting, and invasive species, like the brown tree snake that has wiped out birds on Guam.

Read the Scientific American story, "Perennial problems loom large for threatened species", July 1, 2009.

Read the Guam News Factor story, "Caught In The Act: Guam Guardsmen Nabbed Red-Handed While Congresswoman Fights Non-Native Importation", May 7, 2009.

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