DPNR said Jose Bermudez brought in eight snakes worth $50 each and two snakes over four feet worth $100 each, for a total bounty of $600. Photo Credit: DPNR
The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources announced Friday that the Division of Fish and Wildlife issued its first bounty check to a St. Croix resident who recently became a certified wildlife control operator.
Jose Bermudez brought in eight snakes worth $50 each and two snakes over four feet worth $100 each, for a total bounty of $600. All the snakes were caught in the Creque Dam area of Frederiksted, DPNR said.
The bounty was rewarded as part of the Invasive Species Eradication Community Program created under Act No. 8450 and sponsored by Senator Kenneth Gittens. The program, now found under Title 12 of the V.I Code § 111-117, enables DPNR to certify members of the USVI community to become wildlife control operators who are eligible for bounties or removal agents who can start small businesses.
“Senator Gittens was invited to the office to see the fruition of his legislation and participate in issuance of the check for Mr. Bermudez," said DFW Director Nicole F. Angeli. “We encourage everyone who wants to make a difference in the conservation of our native species to sign up for this monumental program."
Those interested in becoming certified by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to become a Wildlife Control Operator or Wildlife Control Removal Agent, can find information the DPNR here.
