One year after the first Ibiza wall lizard specimens were transferred to Zoo de Barcelona for study and ex-situ breeding, 32 hatchlings have already been born
These births represent an important step towards ensuring the survival of one of the archipelago’s most iconic and endangered species
Zoo de Barcelona and the Government of the Balearic Islands have been successful in their project to protect the Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis), one of the most iconic species of the Balearic Islands, which is especially threatened by the proliferation of invasive exotic species, particularly snakes.
A year after the first lizard specimens were transferred to Zoo de Barcelona for study and ex-situ breeding, 32 hatchlings have already been born, a figure that exceeds initial expectations and has led the Balearic government to expand the initiative by transferring 33 new specimens from the Pityusic islets to the zoo. These new, genetically diverse specimens come from Cala Salada Islet, Ses Margalides, Murada Island, Es Caragoler Gros, and Sa Sal Rossa Islet.
The ex-situ breeding project began in May 2025 after 17 healthy and genetically diverse specimens were transferred to Zoo de Barcelona facilities to establish the first ex-situ breeding lines for the species. Specifically, three distinct lines were created: two corresponding to populations from Ibiza, with two males and three females each; and a third from Formentera, consisting of three males and four females.
Since the start of the programme, the first breeding pairs have produced 16 clutches and 32 offspring. Some pairs have laid two or even three clutches, exceeding the project’s initial expectations. Furthermore, the first clutches came from already pregnant females, which adds significant biological and genetic value by incorporating offspring from males other than those initially included in the programme.
This Thursday, the Balearic Islands minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, and the director-general of the Natural Environment and Forest Management, Anna Torres, visited Zoo de Barcelona. There, together with the zoo’s director, Antoni Alarcon, they reviewed the project’s progress and announced its expansion.
“The project’s initial results are promising news for the conservation of Balearic biodiversity and confirm that the work led by the Government of the Balearic Islands, with the technical and scientific support of Zoo de Barcelona, are on the right track,” said Simonet. “Protecting this species is also part of our responsibility to our natural heritage and to future generations.”
“The results of this first year confirm the effectiveness of the ex-situ conservation programmes and demonstrate Zoo de Barcelona’s firm commitment to supporting the Balearic government’s management of the Ibiza wall lizard populations,” said Alarcón. “This is one of the zoo’s most important conservation projects outside of Catalonia, and the extremely satisfactory results could have a very positive impact on the future of this highly endangered species.”
The Government of the Balearic Islands is working with a view to developing, in later phases, population reinforcement and reintroduction programmes in safe areas, once progress has been made in controlling invasive snakes. This will allow for the gradual recovery of the species in areas where it has disappeared or is currently in critical decline.
