“Get him off the cliff.” It is the phrase with which the biologist and head of the Biodiversity Unit of the council, José Alberto Delgado, summarizes the future of the giant lizard of Tenerife (Gallotia Intermedia). An endemic species on the Island, seriously threatened, of which only a little more than 300 specimens remain in two areas: the Teno Massif, between Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide, and the Guaza Mountain, in Arona. These reptiles have seen their habitat reduced to the point of being pushed into the steepest spaces of the insular geography. Basically, due to the action of its two great predators: the cat and the man. The 2017 Protection Plan, which has worked above all on preparing a census, ends in a few months. Delgado anticipates that in 2023 a forum open to scientists, technicians and other agents will decide on the conservation of the species in the future. It goes through that descent from the steep areas and enables places close to their habitat where they can be fed and protected. It does not propose an interpretation center as such, but another model related to a modern and citizen informative vision of science.
The Giant Lizard Recovery Plan was published in the Official Bulletin of the Canary Islands (BOC) No. 229. It is developed by Decree 230/2017, of November 20, which establishes five years of validity. Delgado points out that “the first thing was to delimit the census, which dated from 2005.” It was known that “the lizard remains in two areas, the Cliff of the Giants, in Teno, and the Guaza Mountain.” He recalls that “there are about 300 copies left, although the 2019 data points to more than 500.” The cat is the great enemy of the lizards, but “also the man for public use without limits”. Delgado points out that “we have had to close some trails because only the passage of people affects the delicate ecosystem.” These animals have been taking refuge in the steepest areas. An in-depth genetic study is needed to unravel some of the mysteries that still surround this unique species in the world.
Delgado points out that «in 2023 all the parties involved will sit down; i.e. scientists, technicians, the ULthe Cabildo, the three city councils… In that area we will decide what to do».
The biologist’s proposal is “not to design a zoo and let the technicians always decide.” He proposes “buying a couple of hectares of land and developing their habitat outside the cliffs there. A recreation to be able to feed and protect them. Open to visits and educational dissemination but with control. Now he poses. «we must bet on the concept of citizen science».
The expert does not consider it possible to set up interpretation centers such as in La Gomera (Valle Gran Rey) or El Hierro. It follows the line of the also biologist Juan Carlos Rondo, an expert in the giant lizard, scientific advisor to the Cabildo and professor at the ULL. The idea is a place close to their natural habitat that, he anticipates, cannot be La Tahonillla due to its conditions, far from the way of life of these endemic reptiles.
Delgado affects the actions carried out these years within the Protection Plan. Such as specific monitoring and surveillance, the control of invasive exotic vertebrates and cat colonies in critical areas – duly marked, including information panels – or keeping them free of goats and sheep. To this must be added the coordination with animal protectors. Another initiative was the campaign in the Titsa buses in 2019 “for awareness and dissemination among the population.” Finally, it highlights the creation of computer material on the lizard, its main threats and actions for its conservation. Resources have also been designed for educational centers or workshops have been held with the same meaning.
The PP proposal
The councilor of the PP in the Cabildo, Valentín González Évora, takes tomorrow to the Plenary Commission of the Natural Environment, Primary Sector and Municipal Cooperation a motion to “guarantee the special measures of the Recovery Plan for the giant lizard of Tenerife”. The popular ones include in his proposal the creation of a Recovery and Interpretation Center. In the detailed foundations, González explains as a reason the threats to an endemic species, also known as the spotted canary lizard. Considered extinct until relatively recently, since only in 1996 were the first specimens captured alive.
González Évora explains that “although there is already a Recovery Plan, it is necessary from the Cabildo to urge the Government of the Canary Islands to implement or extend the special measures provided for in that document.” The popular councilor adds “the implementation of municipal ordinances in coordination with the affected municipalities” and, finally, “design an information campaign.”