The Union Island wardens are dressed in camouflage and ready to fight.
One of the smallest islands in the Caribbean is home to one of the world's smallest species.
The Union Island gecko is critically important to the survival of the island.
After its official discovery in 2005, the unique creature quickly became a coveted curio and became the most popular reptile in the Eastern Caribbean.
Until Union islanders got involved, that is. Local residents have been patrolling the dense virgin forest of this location in StVincent and the Grenadines on call 24/7.
They have been credited with an 80% increase in population due to their work. The island's human population is six-fold greater than the number of geckos, according to a survey.
Glenroy Gaymes says community involvement has been key.
A lot of people didn't know there was a gecko. We went to people's houses and held meetings. We had to go to the forest to get one so people knew what it was. Everyone was excited and expecting a lot more.
It's just an inch and a half long, and so pretty people were in awe.
Roxanne Froget was the first female warden.
It was amazing to hear that the only reptile on Union Island was a gecko. She says it was amazing to see it for the first time with all its colors.
When brought into the light, the geckos change hue slowly.
Ms Froget was interested in the project.
On a daily basis, we patrol the forest and are always on call. The flora and fauna are protected because they are part of the geckos' habitat. She says that the area needs to be completely untouched.
I enjoy listening to the birds. The mother of two smiles and says she looks forward to working every day.
My nine-year-old son is also fond of the forest. I teach him how to protect it. It's all happening on my island, and I'm proud to be a part of it.
In addition to active patrol training and self-defence skills, Mr Gaymes, who is a fourth degree black belt in taekwondo, teaches wardens about the many intriguing species that call the forest home and the traditional uses for Medicinal Plants so that they can pass their knowledge on to
It makes up for Union Island's lack of monetary wealth with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. The "pink rhino" iguana is one of the endemic creatures that the team has protected since the gecko project began.
The reptile's rarity and striking colors have been their downfall.
The majority of the collectors want the geckos because they're different. FFI's Caribbean programme manager Isabel Vique says that they want to learn how to breed them and be the first to know about them.
Some of Ms Vique's collectors come from all over the world.
Since we've been on the ground, there has been a reduction in the number of advertised geckos.
The Poachers took advantage of Union islanders' friendly nature.
"They would come to the island pretending to be tourists and go around asking the locals where they can see them," Ms Vique said.
The highest level of protection has been given to the gecko by the international treaty CITES. If caught, Poachers will be fined and could be sentenced to prison.
One of the world's last remaining tropical dry forests is where the Chatham Bay home of the geckos is located.
The Caribbean dry forest is in danger. Chatham Bay is one of the few that are not disturbed.
That makes the project worth more.
The Union Island gecko is a perfect mascot for the island to be known by in the wider world.
The co- founder of the Union Island Environmental Alliance agrees.
The area is still believed to be good for tourism. He says that they have been trying to communicate the value of having a dry forest in which to live.
They will be lost forever if we don't find and preserve them.
The lizard has a special meaning for Mr. Adams.
The fact that the gecko has been around for thousands of years is a testament to its resilience. It looks proud when it raises its tail.
We may be small, but we are proud and resilient.
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