Lost Pond: Illegal Dumping

Hafa Adai Micronesia,

I recently got to go to lost pond for my environmental biology lab! Lost pond is a sink hole that goes down to the Guam's freshwater lens. The water from Lost Pond is also from Pagat Cave. Lost pond is one of the two natural freshwater pools on Guam. On Guam, we get our drinking water from freshwater lens. That is why it is so important to maintain our precious resources. Sadly, when I went to Lost pond the hike was not as enjoyable because of all the trash. There is a serious problem of ILLEGAL DUMPING on island. The trash at tanguissan beach is a mixture of bottles, cans and also household items. We recently jut had our Coastal Cleanup but it seems like people still are not getting the message. The trash is unappealing especially to our tourism. Dumping trash is unhealthy for our environment and for everyone. There needs to be more regulations on Illegal dumping and monitoring on our freshwater lens. Hopefully, everyone on island can appreciate our natural gifts and stop illegal dumping.

Young Champion,
Francine Cruz

Hello May!

These past two months have been crazy for me!

April was Guam's first Pig Derby. As I stated earlier in my blog. The feral pig population has increased on island and has led to damage to infrastructure, loss of plants, and soil erosion. So, on April 13 and 14,  hunters hunted for feral pigs to help reduce their population across the island. The hunters checked in at various mayors' offices. The Dededo, Agana Heights, Talofofo, and Santa Rita mayors' offices were the places the hunters checked in and checked out.The hunt began a half-hour before sunrise and ended at 5:30 p.m. All pigs were counted at that time. At each station, was the rhino-beetle team, their job was to check the stomach content and to see if the Wild pigs are eating the rhino-beetles.

Aguarin and I were stationed in Dededo. We handled registration. We waited for the hunters to come back with some game. Sadly, Dededo had zero, but this information helped us for future derbys. The hunters noticed that it was harder to find the pigs because it was just too hot! The pigs usually hide when its hot or go near the water which made it harder the hunters to catch. However, Talofofo represented with six pigs killed. Joey Terlaje and Joseph Castro fromTalofofo location brought two pigs. One was about 113 pounds and the other was about 84 pounds.

The Pig Hunting Derby was an overall success. I cant wait until they do it again.


Until next time Micronesia,

Francine Cruz

An Invasive Species: Feral Pigs

Aguarin and I are currently providing educational outreach on the Pig Hunting Derby this upcoming April (Earth Week). We gathered up some information that I thought I’d share with you all:

"First off do you think pigs are native to Guam? If you thought "no" you're right! This is a common misconception we have about Feral pigs. Feral pigs were actually brought to Guam by the Spaniards in the 1600s. Chamorros were used  to living off the land and sea. When the Spaniards came to Guam, they banned seafaring practices to prevent escapes. So, Chamorros had to get accustomed to eating imported meats.

Feral pigs have impacted our island’s economy and environment. Feral pigs are known for preying on livestock such as chickens and their eggs, and uprooting agricultural plants affecting farmer’s revenue. Aguarin and I have talked to the community leaders around our island about feral pigs and this is what the Barrigada Mayor Nito Blas said, “Farmers now are bothered by the pigs because they come into their farm. They go in there and eat what they find. Farmer’s think it is a disruption.”  

Below is a picture of a disturbed area caused by feral pigs in Menall River.  As you can see the water is brown. That is caused by feral pigs digging up the soil and when it rains the sediment rushes down and pollutes the water. That causes serious damage to our coral reef. What have we done to help control Feral Pigs on our island?ž We have provided educational outreach with public officials, experts and people in the community. We are also assisting Guam Coastal Management Program in the efforts to successfully hold the islands first pig hunting derby. The Pig Hunting Derby will take place on Saturday April 14 and 15, 2012. Hunting will begin at a half hour before sunrise but all hunters must be back at the check-in stations by 5:30p.m. The check-in stations are in Dededo, Agana Heights, Santa Rita and Talofofo Mayor's offices. So, if you are interested save those dates. If you are not from Guam buy a ticket and come on down. Its the first of its kind here in the region. Read our future blogs to get the update on the Derby. Until next time!