An invasive species of snake has now established itself “throughout” one of the most popular Spanish islands among British holidaymakers, as environmentalists rue “losing the war” against the creatures.
The Institut d’Estudis Eivissencs (IEE) previously called on authorities to launch a campaign of strategic trapping to tackle the proliferation of horseshoe snakes, with numbers surging.
A massive push has been made to rid Ibiza‘s shores of the reptiles, with over 500 volunteers mucking in on the eradication project in recent months.
The measures saw snake traps installed in rural areas of the municipality this summer to capture as many of the reptiles as they can during their most active period, Diario de Ibiza reports.
But the IEE, a non-profit which studies and promotes the culture and traditions of Ibiza and Formentera, claims the situation is “practically unsolvable” and attempts to trap the pests had been “unsuccessful”, the The Olive Press reports.
Conservationists, scientists and the Balearic government say the inundation of snakes began when rich property owners in Ibiza and Formentera started putting ancient olive trees imported from mainland Spain, and further afield, into their gardens.
They are thought to have arrived around two decades ago in the cracks and hollow compartments of the non-native trees, which have proven to be perfect for laying eggs and hibernating in.
Ibiza‘s wall lizards (Podarcis pityusensis), which are native to the island, have become endangered due to the explosion in the snake population, sparking concern from campaigners, Diario de Ibiza previously reported.
The IEE said: “It can now be confirmed that the horseshoe snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) is already present throughout the island.”
The organisation is urging port authorities for tougher measures to prevent the snakes from arriving on boats from other countries.
It also called for “generalised and strategic trapping programmes” to be introduced across the island, arguing Ibizans could have been mobilised in an effective strategy to manage thousands of traps in 2019.
Moreover, the organisation is asking for special reserve areas to be created to protect the native lizard, which is vital to the island’s ecosystem.
Ibiza Town Council has been approached via email for comment.