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MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

MINI ZOO

The Mini Zoo located at Union includes a collection of indigenous as well as exotic species. Management of the zoo is done by officers who received training at Jersey in the United Kingdom.

The Indigenous animals include:

Boa Constrictor (Constrictor constrictor orophias): The Boa Constrictor of tete-chien as it is known Boa Constrictorlocally is one of the four species of snakes native to the island of St. Lucia. The other three are the Fer-de-Lance, the rare Maria Island snake and the tiny, soil dwelling, blind worm snake. The Boa is restricted to the drier areas of St. Lucia. They do not harm man and they are protected by law.

 

St. Lucia IguanaIguana (Iguana iguana iguana): The Iguana is the largest lizard found on St. Lucia. Iguanas are basically green, with brown or black markings and a crest of spines along the neck. They grow up to six feet in length, about half of which is the whip-like tail. Iguanas are now mostly found along the northeast coast of the island such as Louvet, Grand Anse, etc.

Parrots (Amazonia versicolor): The St. Lucian Parrot is known locally as the Jacquot. This beautiful bird is mainly green in color, with a cobalt blue forehead, merging through turquoise and green on the cheeks with a scarlet breast. These birds occupy the forest canopy where they feed on fruit, nuts, and berries of the surrounding trees. They mature in five years, laying two to three white eggs in a hollow between the months of February and April. For more information on the Jacquot click here

 

AgoutiAgouti (Dasyprocta antillensis ):The Agouti is a mammal indigenous to St. Lucia and is a member of the rodent family. It has long, coarse brown hair and sits erect on long slender legs. The Agoutis became scarce as were established as protected species in 1980. Other mammals native to St. Lucia include the Opossum.

The Exotic animal collection includes:

Macaw (Ara ararauna) : this large bird ranges form Panama south to South America including Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil.: this large bird ranges form Panama south to South America including Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil.

 

Orange Winged Parrot (Amazonia amazonica): Amazona amazonica is widely distributed over Northern and Central America and is also found in Trinidad and Tobago.: Amazona amazonica is widely distributed over Northern and Central America and is also found in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Land TortoiseTortoise (Geochelone carbonaria): Our local land tortoise or Molocoy was introduced to St. Lucia many years ago. The molocoy is found in tropical South America, the Guainas, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and in some Caribbean islands.  They inhabit tropical forest and open grass lands. An adult tortoise measure about 28 – 46 cm (11-18 inches) in length.

 


Green or Vervet MonkeyGreen Monkey
(Cercopithecus pygerythrus): The Green Monkey originally came from Senegal and the Gambia in West Africa. This makes them Old World monkeys since these come from Africa and Asia. The coat of the Green Monkey is brownish Grey with specks of yellow and olive green, appearing green in some light.

 

Red-eared Terrapin This is a sleek turtle, with webbed feet and a red stripe down each side of the head. The carapace (upper shell) is patterned with yellow and green markings. They reach a maximum size of around 25 cm. Their habitat can range from freshwater ponds and lakes to still or slow flowing water with thick underwater vegetation. Red-eared terrapins are native to the southern United States, but they are commonly found in many parts of the United Kingdom due to widespread release of imported pets.

 

An Irresistible  Invitation: Support the Mini  Zoo, become a Member of the Friends of the Union Zoo. Contact the Forestry Department at Union (758) 468-5645 or 468-5648 or 468-5649 for further information.