Last Updated on May 12, 2026, 5:28 PM AST by Anthony Morris
Mark Brantley, the Premier of Nevis addressed the issue of overpopulation of animals in the island in his recent press conference. He mentioned that the island is struggling in managing the growing population of monkeys, donkeys, and stray livestock.
At the Press conference, Brantley mentioned that these animals reproduce quickly as they are not domesticated. The Nevis Island Administration’s constant efforts and measures are not able to control their growing population.
He said, “Clearly, they’re reproducing constantly, and none of the programs we’ve tried has been completely successful”.
Further he also shared that over the years, the government has taken initiatives including culling programmes to reduce the animal population. The government also provides the incentive to individuals for reducing the monkey numbers across the island. Brantley said, “ We were actually paying persons across the island who provide evidence that they had culled monkeys”.
Premier Brantley further explained that over time cull initiative become financially unsustainable to carry forward for long terms. Brantley said that people of the island urged the administration to take stricter action on population control. He also mentioned that they have faced criticism for their actions and measures, with several international animal welfare advocates calling it cruel or inhumane.
Moreover he said that people were accusing them for their action and calling it cruelty without knowing the full ground level situation. Mark Brantley shared that they were working on exploring alternative strategies, including hillside feeding stations in which monkeys will migrate away from the populated communities and agricultural areas.
Additionally, the island of the public did not seem to be in favour of the programme. Eventually the government has to drop the initiative and the assigned consultant has to leave. Brantley also highlighted the growing indifference between wildlife and humans and he appealed to farmers to manage their animals with great responsibility.
The Premier of Nevis, said that with renewed and innovative collaboration they seek to solve this long standing issue of overpopulation of animals.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
