Lizard population in Ibiza threatened by invasive snakes and escalating waste
In the picturesque Balearic Islands, a silent crisis is unfolding. The Ibiza wall lizard, an endemic species vital to the ecosystem of Ibiza and neighboring Formentera, is facing a significant threat.
The horseshoe whip snake, a common sight on Ibiza, poses a significant danger to the lizard population. Other types of snakes have also been spotted on the island, contributing to the decline of the lizard population.
Since the 2000s, the Ibiza wall lizard has become endangered due to the proliferation of invasive snakes that first arrived in imported trees. The snake population continues to grow and expand towards territories where lizards still remain.
Visual surveys of areas of Ses Salines Natural Park by environmental association GEN-GOB have found the population of Ibiza wall lizards has decreased by between 70% and 90% since 2023. This decline is linked to the increased food availability for the snakes and the expansion of their population.
Several organizations, including local conservation groups on Ibiza, the Balearic Islands government, international environmental NGOs focused on Mediterranean biodiversity, and groups like GEN-GOB, Friends Of The Earth Ibiza, and IbizaPreservation, have been working tirelessly to save the Ibiza wall lizard in recent years.
One such project is led by Jordi Serapio of Protegim Ses Sargantanes, part of IbizaPreservation. Another issue affecting the lizard population is litter left mainly by tourists at beauty spots. Abandoned bottles and cans, identified as "deadly traps" for the Ibiza wall lizard by Jordi Serapio, are a common sight in popular tourist spots like Es Savinar.
Dean Gallagher, a snake catcher on the island, frequently finds dead lizards trapped inside discarded bottles and cans at Es Savinar. The number of tourists reached a record high of more than 3.7m for Ibiza and neighboring Formentera in 2023, an increase of almost 25% since 2016. Tourism accounts for about 84% of Ibiza's economy, with tourist spending reaching 4.3bn euros in 2024, an increase of 62% since 2016.
Predation by both feral and domestic cats is identified as a growing threat to the Ibiza wall lizard population. In areas where lizards have already become extinct, there appears to be a much lower density of snakes. The highest snake densities are observed in what is known as the "invasion front".
Conservation foundation IbizaPreservation reports that snakes are now present on up to 90% of the island, while the lizard population has decreased massively, believed to have disappeared from about 70%. Any additional pressure on the lizard population worsens the situation in the context of the species' extinction.
As we strive to preserve the natural beauty of Ibiza, it's crucial to address these issues and ensure a sustainable future for the Ibiza wall lizard and the ecosystem it supports.
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