They open proceedings against an individual for creating a private lizard sanctuary without permission in Ibiza

PalmaThe Government has initiated disciplinary proceedings against those responsible for a private refuge for Pityusic wall lizards in Ibiza, which intended to protect these reptiles from the threat of invasive snakes. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment proposes to impose a fine of 6,000 euros for having kept specimens of this protected species in an enclosure without having the corresponding authorization. The decision highlights the limits of private initiatives to contribute to the conservation of a species that is threatened by the proliferation of snakes in the Pityusic Islands.

The proceedings originate from an inspection carried out on April 26, 2026, by environmental agents of the Government. During the operation, officials located an enclosed area intended to keep Pityusic wall lizards (Podarcis pityusensis) and observed three specimens there. However, one of those responsible stated that there were a total of eighteen in the facilities.

The subsequent investigation by the Species Protection Service determined that the refuge was not part of any of the official conservation programs promoted by the General Directorate of Natural Environment and Forest Management. Furthermore, technicians detected another problem: the characteristics of the enclosure did not offer sufficient guarantees to prevent the entry of invasive snakes. Therefore, according to the Government, the enclosure not only operated outside the required authorizations, but also did not ensure adequate protection for the animals it intended to preserve.

An initiative to respond to the Government's "inaction"

Precisely, ARA Balears reported in July how a group of private individuals in Ibiza had organised themselves to promote the creation of refuges on private properties and in gardens with the aim of saving the wall lizards from invasive snakes. Under the name Sargantana Power, the collective demanded to be able to set up small, protected reserves supervised by the Administration in the face of the disappearance of the species in 90% of the Ibizan territory. The biologist Antònia Maria Cirer, one of the leading experts on this reptile, argued that these refuges could be "highly effective" and warned that, if urgent measures were not taken, the wall lizards could practically disappear from the wild in Ibiza in just two or three years. The Director General for Natural Environment, Anna Torres, had already expressed her opposition to this initiative at the time, but its promoters insisted that the Government's "inaction" needed to be compensated for. At this time, it has not been possible to confirm whether the reported individual is part of the Sargantana Power collective.

The protection of wall lizards, under the control of the Administration

The Ministry maintains that the desire to protect a threatened species does not authorize individuals to capture specimens or keep them in captivity. The regulations establish that these actions must be developed within official conservation programs, with technical supervision and guarantees of safety, animal welfare, and health control.

The Director General of Natural Environment and Forest Management, Anna Torres, has defended this position with a comparison to another protected species, the Iberian lynx. "You cannot capture lynxes to keep and breed them on a private estate. The same thing happens with lizards: their protection cannot be left to the individual criteria of each person, but must respond to conservation programs directed and supervised by the Administration," she stated.

The Government insists that legal protection obligations do not depend on the size of the animals or the good intentions of those responsible for the facilities. According to the Ministry, conservation programs require scientific planning that includes handling protocols, health checks, genetic monitoring when necessary, and measures aimed at ensuring the survival of the specimens.

In this sense, the Administration points out that the collaboration of individuals, entities, and scientific institutions is possible, but always under the coordination of the competent bodies. This participation does not allow creating autonomous shelters or capturing or breeding protected animals without authorization.

The specimens will be transferred to a suitable space

The Directorate General for the Natural Environment and Forest Management considers it necessary to remove the lizards from the refuge and transfer them to facilities that meet the technical and legal requirements. In the meantime, it has established provisional custody measures to protect the animals and prevent new captures, handling, or introductions of specimens from occurring.

These measures also aim to prevent predators from accessing the enclosure while the transfer is not yet effective. The Ministry makes it clear that this is a temporary solution that in no way implies legalizing the private refuge. The Pityusic lizard is included in the Balearic Catalog of Threatened and Specially Protected Species with the category of vulnerable. Its capture, possession, and transport are subject to restrictions established by regional and state legislation for the protection of biodiversity. The file has been opened for an alleged serious infringement, but the 6,000 euro fine is still a proposal and will have to follow the corresponding administrative procedure.

The case highlights the complexity of the conservation of the Pityusic lizard in the face of the expansion of invasive snakes. While the concern for the survival of this species has favored citizen initiatives to protect it, the Government insists that any action involving capturing or keeping specimens must have authorization and be subject to scientific supervision.