A horseshoe whip snake was detected in April, prompting an urgent, intensive action plan
A total of 95 traps will be installed across Sa Dragonera, Es Pantaleu, and the nearest coast of Mallorca.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, through the Species Protection Service of the Directorate-General for Natural Environment and Forest Management, in coordination with the management of Sa Dragonera Natural Park, has initiated a preventive operation to survey and trap invasive snakes in this protected natural area. The campaign, which will be carried out by the Consortium for the Recovery of Wildlife in the Balearic Islands (COFIB), aims to protect and conserve the island’s native biodiversity from invasive species.
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Preventive Campaign Launched to Survey and Trap Invasive Snakes in Sa Dragonera Natural Park to Protect the Island’s Native Biodiversity
At the end of April, the presence of a horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) was confirmed on the island through camera traps set up by researchers from the University of Oxford as part of their monitoring of Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) nests. As this was the first-ever sighting of this species in the park, and given the potential harm such a snake could inflict on Sa Dragonera’s biodiversity, the Directorate-General has responded with utmost urgency by designing a comprehensive and intensive action plan.
As part of the plan, 95 snake traps will be installed: 85 across Sa Dragonera island, particularly along the eastern coastline between the Tramuntana and Llebeig lighthouses; 7 on the closest stretch of Mallorca’s coastline to prevent potential arrivals from the main island; and 3 on the islet of Es Pantaleu to rule out the presence of the species there. All traps will be geo-referenced, clearly labelled, and placed away from the park’s trails and visitor routes. They will be checked regularly by COFIB technicians.
Anna Torres, Director-General for Natural Environment and Forest Management, stated:
“From the moment we learned of the horseshoe whip snake sighting in Sa Dragonera, we gave top priority to this response. We have worked quickly to design this survey and trapping campaign, which will be intensive in both resources and personnel, to protect one of the most valuable natural spaces in the Balearic archipelago. Invasive reptiles like snakes can pose a serious threat in ecosystems as fragile as islands.”
Torres also emphasised the ecological value of Sa Dragonera, home to an extraordinary population of Balearic lizards (Podarcis lilfordi), and several colonies of seabirds such as the European storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) and the Balearic shearwater:
“These are protected and endangered species that could be severely impacted by invasive snakes. That’s why this preventive and protective measure is so crucial.”