Dominican Republic: On alert for possible entry of invasive frog

Aggressive specie against native fauna.

The Ministry of environment of Dominican Republic alerted the airport and customs institutions to redouble the vigilance to prevent the entry into the country of a frog that damages the environment of Puerto Rico. Known scientifically as Hispaniolan septentrionalis, the species is considered in the country of Puerto Rico a real threat to wildlife, although it is found there two decades ago. Puerto Rican experts also say the liquid secreted by this animal can affect the skin and vision of human beings. Having no natural predators, frog creates an imbalance in the food chain, and hurts others smaller, indigenous lizards and scorpions. For this reason the Dominican authorities, the public sector of biodiversity and wildlife, are calling to its entire population to prevent the entry of the frog and so much damage. Dominican and Puerto Rico are separated by the channel of La Mona, that connects to the Caribbean Sea to the Atlantic, and its shorter distance is 112 km from Cape Engaño to punta Higuero.