Potential Economic Damage from Introduction of Brown Tree Snakes, Boiga irregularis (Reptilia: Colubridae), to the Islands of Hawai'i

Abstract

The Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) has caused ecological and economic damage to Guam, and the snake has the potential to colonize other islands in the Pacific Ocean. This study quantifies the potential economic damage if the snake were translocated, established in the state of Hawai'i, and causing damage at levels similar to those on Guam. Damages modeled included costs of medical treatments due to snakebites, snake-caused power outages, and decreased tourism resulting from effects of the snake. Damage caused by presence of the Brown Tree Snake on Guam was used as a guide to estimate potential economic damage to Hawai'i from both medical-and power outage-related damage. To predict tourism impact, a survey was administered to Hawaiian tourists that identified tourist responses to potential effects of the Brown Tree Snake. These results were then used in an input-output model to predict damage to the state economy. Summing these damages resulted in an estimated total potential annual damage to Hawai'i of between $593 million and $2.14 billion. This economic analysis provides a range of potential damages that policy makers can use in evaluation of future prevention and control programs.

Burmese Pythons

“…Such economic damages are likely to be experienced manifold if a similar brown tree snake invasion were to occur in Hawaii (Burnett et al 2008;Shwiff et al 2010).…”

Objectives and integrated approaches for the control of brown tree snakes: An updated overview

“…Its primary focus is protecting the Hawaiian Islands from invasion. Economic analyses indicated BTS establishment in Hawai'i could result in annual economic costs between $593 million and $2.14 billion (Shwiff et al, 2010). Federal control efforts were implemented on Guam in 1993 to address this objective (Hall, 1996;Ohashi and Oldenburg, 1992).…”

“…Many articles about BTS and their threats have appeared in potential recipient locations and many websites offer information about BTS. Public awareness of costs from BTS introduction (Shwiff et al, 2010) could help assuage local authorities that preventative measures are more cost-effective long-term than detecting and controlling a resultant incipient population.…”

Policy and Regulation

“…Destruction refers to destroyed property (e.g., statues, golf courses, buildings, bridges, power lines), equipment (e.g., vehicles, farm equipment, cables, irrigation equipment), crops (e.g., nonconsumptive impacts associated with rooting behavior), habitat, and associated recreational opportunities (e.g., lost tourism or hunting) (Daszak et al 2000;Kaller and Kelso 2006;Hartin et al 2007;Engeman et al 2008;Jones et al 2008;Campbell and Long 2009;Shwiff et al 2010;Depenbusch et al 2011;Loss et al 2013;Bevins et al 2014;Doody et al 2014;Yang et al 2014). Depredation refers to the consumption of crops, livestock, wildlife species, or companion animals by a VIS.…”