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BROWN tree snakes identified as from Manus Island in Papua New Guinea are causing havoc in Guam - an island territory of United States.
The snakes have reportedly caused power blackouts and also wiped out most of Guam's native birds.
The snake, scientifically known as "Boiga irregularis" spread quickly throughout the island as it had not natural predator - and has been estimated at 1300 brown tree snakes per km on Guam.
The snake is said to have wiped out about 12 species of native birds and lizards on the island. US Geological Survey reportedly stated the since 1978 the snakes have caused more than 1200 power black outs in Guam by climbing power poles and into transformers and have often invaded homes biting a number of residents.
Reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation stated that the snakes were believed to have been introduced to Guam as a stowaway aboard a military cargo ship in the 1940s from Manus Island where US military had a major base during WWII.
US Senate passed bill last week, authorising $US77 million (K252.5 million) over five years to eradicate the snake form Guam and Hawaii, and to stop its spread to other areals of the US.
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A small island in Manus where the brown tree snakes reportedly originate from
The snakes have reportedly caused power blackouts and also wiped out most of Guam's native birds.
The snake, scientifically known as "Boiga irregularis" spread quickly throughout the island as it had not natural predator - and has been estimated at 1300 brown tree snakes per km on Guam.
The snake is said to have wiped out about 12 species of native birds and lizards on the island. US Geological Survey reportedly stated the since 1978 the snakes have caused more than 1200 power black outs in Guam by climbing power poles and into transformers and have often invaded homes biting a number of residents.
Reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation stated that the snakes were believed to have been introduced to Guam as a stowaway aboard a military cargo ship in the 1940s from Manus Island where US military had a major base during WWII.
US Senate passed bill last week, authorising $US77 million (K252.5 million) over five years to eradicate the snake form Guam and Hawaii, and to stop its spread to other areals of the US.
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A small island in Manus where the brown tree snakes reportedly originate from