Office of the Commissioner 
 
CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator 
TEL: (340) 773-1082 
jamal.nielsen@dpnr.gov.vi 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
Thursday, July 14, 2022 
 
ONLINE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR  
WILDLIFE CONTROL OPERATORS AND REMOVAL AGENTS  
 
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources 
(DPNR) announces that on Monday, July 18th, the Division of Fish and Wildlife will start the 
certification program for Wildlife Control Operators and Wildlife Control Removal Agents 
associated with the Invasive Species Eradication Community Program or simply known as 
The Bounty Program. 
 
Invasive species hurt economic and ecological resources in the Territory and methods to 
control those species include recruiting and certifying members of the public to assist with 
their control. The certification program for Wildlife Control Operators and Wildlife Control 
Removal Agents is a management tool highlighted in the ‘USVI Invasive Species Action Plan’ 
to mitigate impacts of invasive species. 
  
Wildlife Control Operator: means an individual who does not charge a fee for handling 
nuisance, vermin, or invasive wildlife species, but is certified by the Division of Fish and 
Wildlife to collect a bounty for handling nuisance, vermin, and invasive species. 
 
Wildlife Control Removal Agent: means a professional licensed by the Department of 
Licensing and Consumers Affairs to collect a fee for handling nuisance, vermin, or invasive 
species and is certified by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to handle nuisance, vermin, and 
invasive species.  
 
All pest management companies, small business owners, and members of the public are 
encouraged to apply. Wildlife Control Removal Agents can be hired by community members 
to assist with the growing need for the management of nuisance and invasive species across 
the territory. Wildlife Control Operators will be able to volunteer their services, while also 
being able to collect declared bounties on red-tailed boas and mongoose after certification. 
 
For more information, please visit https://dpnr.vi.gov/fish-and-wildlife/wild/ 
for the online certification program or visit the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 45 Mars Hill 
in Frederiksted or at 6291 Estate Nazareth on St. Thomas or call by phone at 340-773-1082. 
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  
 
                                       St. Croix, VI 00840 
            St. Thomas, VI  00802                                                       (340) 773-1082 
            (340) 774-3320   
 
                                                    dpnr.vi.gov