Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, preserves habitat for the largest remaining population of endangered Saint Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops). Much smaller populations of ground lizard live on nearby Protestant Cay (17°44′59″N 64°42′10″W / 17.74972°N 64.70278°W) and on Ruth Island. Its extirpation from the mainland of St. Croix is generally attributed to the introduction of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). In 2008, the National Park Service reintroduce the lizard to Buck Island, translocating 57 individuals from Green Cay.