Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF), an independent organization dedicated to conservation management, is pleased to once again welcome the team from the Toledo Zoo to Aruba. For many decades, ACF has collaborated with specialists from Eckerd College in Florida and the Toledo Zoo in Ohio in a scientific partnership to monitor the population of the Cascabel (Crotalus unicolor) — one of the world’s most unique snakes and the only rattlesnake species found exclusively on Aruba.
During the visit in October of this year, the team led by Dr. Matt Cross, together with ACF’s Conservation Rangers, conducted surveys in six different areas on Aruba known to be Cascabel habitats. The team successfully identified new Cascabels and also relocated previously chipped individuals, providing important insight into movement patterns, behavior, and overall population status.
In December, ACF will again welcome Dr. Jeff Goessling from Eckerd College, who has assisted Aruba for decades with his expertise not only on the Cascabel but also the cododo and boa. Dr. Goessling will add new samples to the existing genetic dataset in order to assess the effective population size and examine how natural barriers or human activities may affect the Cascabel’s distribution across Aruba.
The Cascabel is an endemic species and plays an essential role in maintaining the balance of Aruba’s ecosystem. Studies show that their primary prey includes lizards, house mice, and the small ‘Aruban Cottontail’ rabbit. In this way, the Cascabel helps control populations of animals such as mice and rats, contributing to a healthy environment.
ACF emphasizes that the Cascabel is protected under the Law on the Protection of Native Flora & Fauna, and harming or killing the species is illegal. Its survival is threatened primarily by habitat loss, attacks by domestic animals such as dogs and cats, and human pressure on natural areas.
As part of the ongoing population study, researchers from ACF, Toledo Zoo, and Eckerd College are collaborating to document observations of the species. ACF calls on the community to contribute to these citizen-science efforts by reporting any sightings of Cascabels, whether in nature or more urban areas. This can be done through the following link: https://arcg.is/0OPqmX0. The collected data will help determine the distribution and frequency of the endemic Cascabel and will guide the development of more effective conservation strategies.
The collaboration between ACF, the Toledo Zoo, and Eckerd College demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and local commitment to ensuring that Aruba’s unique rattlesnake remains protected for decades to come. If you encounter a Cascabel or any other protected species, you may send a message via WhatsApp to ACF’s Wildlife Hotline at 592-4476.
For those wishing to learn more, ACF will host Naturalesa ta Papia about Aruba’s Cascabel together with Dr. Jeff Goessling, who will be on the island to elaborate on the Cascabel Monitoring Project.
Dates:
· December 10: Centro di Bario Dakota, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
· December 12: Centro di Bario Playa Pabou, 6:45pm – 8:45pm
