MEET THE SCIENTIST
Roseman Adams
Community leader on the recovery of the ‘Polaroid’ gecko on Union Island in the Caribbean
ROSEMAN ADAMS HAS ALWAYS BEEN PASSIONATE about wildlife but it wasn’t until 1999 that he became involved in conservation more directly on an island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. “I started to see many environmental issues on Union Island and to do something about it, I co-founded a community-based organisation, now known as Union Island Environmental Alliance (UIEA),” he says. The primary focus of UIEA is to improve the livelihoods of ‘Unionites’ in balance with healthy natural ecosystems.
“We started out with clean-up campaigns and water-quality testing, and now collaborate with international organisations on endemic and endangered species conservation and sustainable development,” explains Roseman. The UIEA was involved in the comeback of the Critically Endangered Union Island gecko [nicknamed the ‘Polaroid’ gecko], along with Fauna & Flora International (FFI), Re:wild, and St Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department. Its population has increased from 10,000 in 2018 to around 18,000. UIEA activities include patrols and monitoring by wardens in the forest, and community outreach work.
“The Union Island geckois a tiny creature with jewel-like markings,” says Roseman. “When it’s brought into the light, it changes from dark brown to multicoloured – much like a Polaroid picture. It is truly remarkable.” The entire population of this species is confined to a 0.5km 2 patch of ancient forest: “First described by science in 2005, the Union Island gecko suffered severe population decline in the wild due to aggressive poaching for the international pet trade.”
“The gecko’s recovery has been testament to the dedication of the local community to protect the species and its habitat,” says Roseman. “Without their efforts, the recovery we have seen to date would not have been possible.” The listing of the Union Island gecko on Appendix I of CITES in 2019 also afforded the species the highest level of protection against illegal trade.
“We are working on a wider initiative to protect the gecko, the island and its community, while supporting sustainable development,” he states. “Chatham Bay, where the gecko lives, is recognised as a Key Biodiversity Area and there are also calls for it to become a wildlife reserve.”