Office of the Commissioner 
 
 
GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES 
--------0-------- 
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 
            4611 Tutu Park Mall  
 
              45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted 
            Suite 300, 2nd Floor 
                                       St. Croix, VI 00840 
            St. Thomas, VI  00802                                                       (340) 773-1082 
            (340) 774-3320   
 
                                                    dpnr.vi.gov 
 
 
CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator   
jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov   
   
June 2, 2025 
  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
  
DPNR HOSTS EXOTIC PET AMNESTY WEEK & INVASIVE SPECIES  
MURAL CEREMONIES   
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources 
(DPNR) announces that the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) will host Exotic Pet 
Amnesty Week to bring attention to the impact of invasive species on the Virgin Islands 
natural environment from Monday to Friday, June 23rd – June 27th.  
This year’s observance will also celebrate the installation of murals by Virgin Islands 
artists Eliana L. Schuster-Brown and Heidi Herzog Gonzales to highlight the challenges 
invasives can pose. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 
24th, at the Svend Aage Ovesen Seaplane Terminal on St. Croix, followed at 10:30 a.m. 
Wednesday, June 25th at the Charles F. Blair Seaplane Terminal on St. Thomas.  
“We are excited to work with local artists, Seaborne Airlines, and other stakeholders to 
spread awareness that while invasive species are some of the most common wildlife you 
see across the territory, they can spread diseases, disrupt delicate ecosystems, and harm 
fisheries and coastal habitats,” Nicole Angeli, Ph.D., director of the Division of Fish and 
Wildlife, said. “DFW encourages everyone to do their part to help control these 
challenges.”  
Throughout that week, residents are invited to bring in or walk with a photo of their rare, 
non-native animal species from birds to snakes for a FREE PERMIT, without penalty, to the 
Division of Fish & Wildlife’s offices from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mars Hill on St. Croix and 
Tropical Marine on St. Thomas. The list does not include livestock such as chickens, ducks, 
and other farm animals permitted through the Department of Agriculture.  
The activities are held in conjunction with National Pet Preparedness month and funded 
by the Office of Insular Affairs. For more information, call the office at 340-773-1082 or 
340-775-6762 or visit www.dpnr.gov.vi/fish-and-wildlife.