Frequently Asked Questions Roaming Animal Control and Food Security

It is not true that all livestock animals will be killed. A population size has been defined based on 2024 slaughterhouse numbers for a healthy number of livestock to feed the community and export to other islands to boost the economy. The Statia Government has been in close contact with farmers on the island over recent months. Each farmer indicated how many animals they can hold - based on aspects such as land availability - and the desired population number has been distributed among these farmers. 

Please note: this concerns domesticated livestock animals that are suitable for farming.

The animals in Boven National Park are feral animals. Feral animals are wild animals that have lived without human care for several generations. This makes them unsuitable for farming practices. We cannot guarantee meat quality consistency for the community. Using these animals for farming would also be inhumane as they are not accustomed to human handling and would experience significant stress during such activities. Once captured, these animals become extremely stressed because they are not used to being near people or confined in small spaces. This panic often leads to injuries as they try to escape, and they may refuse to eat or drink because the new food and water sources are unfamiliar. This high level of stress also weakens their immune system, making them highly susceptible to illness.

Earlier this year, we published a visual on the Statia Government Facebook page explaining the difference between a roaming livestock goat and a roaming feral goat.

To ensure our strategy is robust, the Statia Government sought a second opinion from Mr. Ramnanan, Regional Representative and Invasive Animal Species Coordinator for CABI Caribbean and Central America based in Trinidad and Tobago. He has publicly endorsed the plan in a video statement, confirming that it aligns with regional best practices and the island’s needs.

Mr. Ramnanan explains that the benefits of removal far outweigh the costs because roaming animals (both feral and livestock) cause severe damage to the island’s ecosystem. Their uncontrolled grazing destroys vegetation that prevents soil erosion and removes the habitat essential for endangered species on the island like the Bridled Quail Dove, the Lesser Antillean Iguana and the Red-tailed Tropicbird, and plants like the Statia Morning Glory (1). By removing these invasive animals, we protect the natural landscape, which in turn makes the island more resilient to extreme weather, keeps our ecosystem in balance, and supports long-term food security.

You can view his full argumentation in the video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1065384262229825