Government conservation officers are imploring the public not to dump domestic pets they can no longer care for in the wild as they could cause the extinction of plant life found only in Bermuda.

Government Conservation Officer Jeremy Madeiros' warning comes on the heels of the discovery of about 15 guinea pigs who were dumped beneath the Idwal Hughes (Walsingham) Nature Reserve sign at the entrance to Tom Moore's Jungle.

"If they start breeding and spreading through the large forested area, they have the potential of eradicating several very rare species (of plant vegetation)," he told The Royal Gazette.

Believing that most people think they are doing the pets a favour by setting them free, Mr. Madeiros said: "They are domestic animals, so they're not going to survive long, and if they do they will breed, and that's a major threat to natural wildlife."

The harmful effects of setting creatures such as pet terrapin turtles can already been seen, he added. "(Terrapins) are having a major effect on some of the waterfowl ... they are vicious little predators."

Every single fresh-water pond with the possible exception of those on Nonsuch Island now has such a terrapin population, he said.

"There is the same potential with guinea pigs ... they are basically cute, tail-less rats. They can breed like bunnies ... they have serious repercussions for some of the rare endangered vegetation."

About two to three weeks ago, he said, the 15 guinea pigs dumped at Walsingham Jungle were discovered. So far, using traps borrowed from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ), about ten or eleven have been captured. "There are only hopefully another four or five to go," he said, although there could be more. And if even two are left behind, the potential for danger is very real.

"All you need are two or three and very rapidly we will have a population of dozens ... in such a large area they would go out of control, beyond our control.

"I really, really implore people if you have these pets and can't take care of them to explore your options," he continued. "They live a horrible life (in the wild) - they are attacked by rats - you could see even with these ones they were almost desperate to get into the traps."

Government will prosecute anyone caught dumping such animals, he added, and areas such as Walsingham are now being monitored.

"It is against the law to dump any domestic animal.

"People - they should know better, they really should know better. There is no excuse for it whatsoever."