PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The status of the El Hierro Giant Lizard Gallotia simonyi, a mascot for the Canary Islands, is critical: it is considered to be the European reptile most threatened with extinction and one of the 5 most endangered herpetofauna species world-wide. Originally occurring over a large part of El Hierro Island, the lizard is now down to a population of about 200 individuals and its distribution range is restricted to a zone barely exceeding 2 hectares. This zone is located on a practically inaccessible cliff where the Canary lslands government designated two pSCI to represent the species in the Natura 2000 network.
This LIFE project follows on from a previous one targeting the species, implemented between November 1994 and June 1997. The investigations carried out during that period showed that the site where the lizards now occur does not correspond to the ideal habitat for the species, namely the Canary juniper woods, from which the lizard has disappeared as a consequence of pressure from introduced predators such as domestic cats.
OBJECTIVES
The target of this LIFE project was to re-establish a viable population of giant lizards in their optimum habitats. To this end, captive breeding was continued and, thanks to the successes booked during the preceding project, this breeding programme was able to supply 100 individuals a year.
To ensure successful reintroduction, a methodology and a species management plan had to be elaborated and the predators found in the selected release site required to be brought under control. After an initial pilot phase that served to test the techniques utilised, the definitive reintroduction took place during the project’s second phase.
RESULTS
This LIFE project built on a previous one (94/743; Nov. 1994 - June 1997) by the Spanish Herpetological Society (AHE) that had identified the optimum places for reintroduction of Gallotia simonyi. Administrative problems mainly stemming from the devolution of powers between the regional and the Island authorities hindered the full achievement of the project objectives during the implementation period. In particular, the main goal of reintroducing the species in the most suitable location identified in the previous LIFE project (La Dehesa, W El Hierro) was only accomplished 1.5 years after the project end. The results during the project period included:
The breeding program’s techniques and methods were refined and specialised staff was hired for the breeding centre. As a consequence, the breeding rate increased to produce 100 new lizards/year, with almost 95% of successful egg hatching. This ensures the maintenance of a healthy captive population of Gallotia simonyi and allows for the continuation of the reintroduction plan to guarantee the survival of the species in the wild.
The LIFE support, since 1994, towards the conservation of G. simonyi had an invaluable benefit for the species, whose initial situation of extreme danger of extinction shifted to a promising future. The three reintroductions completed (El Julan, Sálmor and La Dehesa) have duplicated the single and marginal wild population of about 200 individuals existing in a barely adequate habitat (Tibataje), the successful captive-breeding programme and the good functioning of the breeding centre have improved notably the species status and are very important for its mid-term recovery and survival.
A wealth of useful information for conservation management of the species was generated throughout the project and included in the recovery plan for the species, drafted by the Spanish Herpetological Society (AHE). The present and potential habitat for G. simonyi is included in the Natura 2000 network through the SCIs identified during the project (Frontera, Tibataje and Roques de Sálmor SCIs).
The demonstration value for future similar projects was also an important feature in this project. The pioneering captive-breeding programme required some improvisation until a valid methodology to breed such an endangered reptile was developed. This was then set up and refined thanks to the LIFE support, generating a know-how that will be useful to design future recovery plans for similar species or populations.
The involvement of the Canarian Government in the conservation of G. simonyi is another remarkable accomplishment of the LIFE support, and their role changed from being just the authority allowing the first project, to assuming a budgetary effort in the second one and, finally, the whole conservation of the species. In fact, they supported a campaign in search for other giant lizard populations/species in the Canary Islands. A new population of an unknown lizard was found in La Gomera, temporarily named G. simonyi gomerana which appeared to be a different, extremely endangered species (about 10 individuals found). A new LIFE project is running to ensure its conservation (LIFE 2002NAT/E/8614).
As regards the Island Authoritry (Cabildo Insular del Hierro), their initial reluctance shifted to the partial financing and joint work with the beneficiary for the recovery program, especially after allowing the reintroduction of the species in La Dehesa. Some more time will lead them to realising the importance of the species and assuming their role to preserve it. In fact, this may be the key socio-economic effect of the project. Nature conservation powers were recently taken over by the Cabildos, less sensitive to nature conservation than higher-level administrations and lacking specialised staff.
Several remaining threats, like pressure on the species by feral cats and rats, require future action and monitoring, and the continuity of the project should also be ensured through the formal adoption of the management plan for the species and of a strategy to control exotic predators. Monitoring the wild populations and endeavouring the captive breeding programme at least until the species achieves an adequate conservation status in the wild are also necessary. This would entail an increase in the number of wild lizards through the creation of a metapopulation made up of several stable populations.
