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Weekly Short
6 October, 2023
A tiny Caribbean island has had a makeover. Redonda, the third isle of Antigua and Barbuda, has been transformed into a wildlife haven. In just a few short years, environmentalists from the Environmental Awareness Group, working hand in hand with the government and overseas partners, have coaxed greenery back to life, cultivating impressive biodiversity and welcoming home endangered species.
In 2016, locals referred to Redonda as a ‘rock’ or ‘moonscape’ as invasive black rats ruled the island, preying on reptiles and birds’ eggs, while goats, introduced by colonizers, devastated vegetation. Redonda serves as a crucial nesting sanctuary for migratory birds and hosts a diverse array of unique and endangered species, including the Redonda ground dragon. It is enveloped by an extensive 30,000-hectare seagrass meadow and coral reef ecosystem.
There was no time to spare so environmentalists got to work. Invasive species were shown the door, and even the goats received an unexpected first-class ticket back to the mainland. As the greenery returned, so did the island’s unique and endangered inhabitants. With its newfound protected status, Redonda has become the largest marine protected area in the Eastern Caribbean, helping Antigua and Barbuda achieve their ’30×30′ goal – a global commitment to conserve 30% of the Earth’s surface by 2030.
Redonda may be small, but its impact is mighty, exemplifying what is possible through collaboration and dedication and giving us hope for a greener future, one island at a time.
By Meg Seckel