The rarest species are often the less well known, but our species profiles are here to give you easy access to the key facts and photos. Click for a snapshot of the Antiguan racer
Our timelines tell the story behind the species and our programmes: from Durrell's first involvement through to our consevation activities today and the differences we have made on the ground. Click for the full story of the Antiguan racer
Once abundant throughout the Lesser Antillean islands of Antigua and Barbuda, including offshore satellite islands, the Antiguan racer declined due to the introduction of invasive species until it only existed on Great Bird Island. Successful translocations by the ARCP have established new sub-populations on three other offshore islands, increasing the species' range by over 500%.
Population size
Conservation efforts to increase the population size of the Antiguan racer have been so effective that the global population is now estimated at 500 individuals over four offshore islands. Whilst this has significantly decreased the risk of immediate extinction, each sub-population continues to be vulnerable to invasive species, negative impacts of inbreeding and chance events such as severe weather.
Threats
Although invasive species have been removed from all islands where the Antiguan racers are present, re-invasion poses a continuous threat to sub-populations. Boat traffic is high to most of the islands, increasing the risk of invasion. Severe weather events and rising sea level due to climate change also threatens the low-lying habitat of the offshore islands.
Actions
Intensive management has been the focus of the recovery efforts for this species by controlling invasive species and translocating individuals between islands to establish new populations. These populations require continued protection through invasive species biosecurity and population management to ensure recovery is not hindered by the effects of inbreeding.
Population trend
A rapid response to remove rats from Great Bird Island by the ARCP saw the population of Antiguan racers on Great Bird Island more than double in just 18 months. To continue the recovery, further sub-populations were established through translocations on three other islands increasing the global population by over 850% to an estimated 500 individuals. Further translocations to establish additional sub-populations are planned to ensure this recovery continues.
Extinction risk
Over twenty years of conservation action through the ARCP has successfully increased both global population size and range of the Antiguan racer and in all probability saved the species from extinction. However, the continuous threat to original and new populations by the potential invasion of predatory mammals and impacts of natural disasters means the species is still considered Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Durrell has played a vital role in this recovery programme through technical support, captive breeding and supporting rat eradications.
The Journey of Species Survival is Durrell's main tool for planning and tracking how we deliver our mission of saving species from extinction. We monitor each species through 13 management stages and four main phases as our actions drive its population recovery from the brink of extinction back to safer levels.
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Phase I: Assessment & Planning
The first phase of the survival journey focuses on gathering the information required to plan our approach to effectively manage the recovery of the species.
Rapid assessment
1995
The first surveys were conducted by Fauna & Flora International and the Government of Antigua & Barbuda to assess the status of the only surviving population of racers on Great Bird Island. The population was estimated to be just 50 racers and it is suspected these animals had persisted due to absence of invasive mongooses, though rats are identified as a threat to the population causing decline through predation and injury.
About the Rapid assessment stage Field missions are used to assess species conservation status, key threats and initial actions needed to kick start the programme.
Rapid response
1995
As rats are suspected to be an immediate threat to the last surviving Antiguan racers of Great Bird Island, FFI leads an eradication programme as an emergency response to protect this small population. Durrell takes five adult racers into captivity in 1996 to attempt to establish a safety-net population.
About the Rapid response stage If extinction risk is very high, captive breeding programmes or rapid field interventions might be used to avert an immediate risk of extinction.
Stakeholder engagement
1995
Durrell joins with five other organisations including the Environmental Awareness Group, Government of Antigua and FFI to establish the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project. The purpose of the project is to conserve the Critically Endangered Antiguan racer snake and other indigenous flora and fauna of the offshore islands of Antigua and Barbuda.
About the Stakeholder engagement stage Conservation actions are successfully increasing the species’ numbers and the programme structure is now capable of monitoring and adapting to new or re-emerging threats to the species.
Full assessment
1997
Monitoring conducted following the removal of rats showed the population of Antiguan racers on Great Bird Island increased to over 100 snakes in just 18 months after the eradication programme was completed. Restoration of other offshore islands by removing rats is planned to prepare sites for introductions of small populations of racers.
About the Full assessment stage Intensive research into ecological, environmental and socio-ecological factors affecting the species provides a baseline to inform the planning stage.
Planning & partnership
1999
A ten-year Species Action Plan for the Antiguan racer is developed by partners of the ARCP through a participatory workshop. The plan outlines the objectives for the conservation of the Antiguan racer for the next 10 years and focusses on translocations and the control of invasive species as priority actions.
About the Planning and partnership stage Conservation targets and detailed action plans are developed to guide the programme's efforts. Partnerships and governance are also outlined to ensure the programme remains on track.
Phase II: Intensive Care
This phase involves the testing and implementation of intensive management actions to tackle the main threats to a species in order to stabilise its population and promote recovery. It often requires the most resources as it lays the foundation for a species’ long-term recovery.
Trialling actions
1999
The first translocation of ten racers to Rabbit Island is completed following the removal of rats. This trial introduction is conducted to test whether a small population could be successfully translocated and establish on another offshore island, once the threat of rats has been removed.
About the Trialling actions stage Conservation actions are tested on the ground, results are monitored and techniques are adapted to develop effective management actions.
Scaling up actions
2003
Actions are scaled up following the successful translocation of racers to Rabbit Island. Using the same protocols, rats are removed from Green Island and a small number of racers are translocated to the island in an attempt to establish a third sub-population.
About the Scaling up actions stage Once effective management actions are developed they can be rolled out across the intervention zone.
Intensive management
2010
Surveys show the species is starting to recover with 500 Antiguan racers estimated over four offshore islands and biosecurity protocols have been tested with the swift detection and removal of rats which re-invaded Green Island. Evidence that the sub-populations are breeding has also been recorded.
About the Intensive management stage After actions have been scaled up they are then intensively implemented to bring primary threats under control, enabling the start of the species' recovery.
Adaptive management
Ongoing
Biosecurity and monitoring protocols implemented by the ARCP were tested when rats re-invaded Green Island. They were successfully re-eradicated by the team with minimal impacts on the translocated population of racers. Options for further translocations are being explored but the main focus of the programme is on biosecurity and careful management of established populations to prevent inbreeding and promote recovery. Due to the devastating impact of invasive predators it is likely that offshore island biosecurity will be needed continuously for the near future.
About the Adaptive management stage Conservation actions are successfully increasing the species’ numbers and the programme structure is now capable of monitoring and adapting to new or re-emerging threats to the species.
Phase III: Long-term Management
Once a species reaches this phase the population recovery is well underway but the sustainability and long-term robustness of the programme needs to be ensured.
Minimum management
Future Target
About the Minimum management stage Moving towards sustainability, the intensive actions are scaled back to minimum levels of effort required to meet conservation targets.
Capacity-building
Future Target
About the Capacity-building stage The capacity building activities within the programme enter the final stage and local partner(s) lead the strategic and operational management of programme.
Final evaluation
Future Target
About the Final evaluation stage A detailed programme evaluation reviews progress towards conservation targets, final responsibilities are passed onto local partners and a new long-term action plan is agreed.
Phase IV: Watching Brief
This phase signals the exit point for Durrell as a species reaches the end of its survival journey.
Watching brief
Future Target
About the Watching brief stage Durrell steps back from the programme and provides technical support to local partners on request.
