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Invasive Italian Wall Lizards Surge Across Southern Vancouver Island
Scientists say about 800,000 to 1 million European wall lizards now live in B.C., where they are spreading and competing with native species.
- Invasive European wall lizards are thriving across Vancouver Island, with experts estimating about 800,000 inhabiting the region and spreading as far as Campbell River, 260 kilometres north of Victoria.
- This population explosion originated from an intentional release of 12 lizards in 1970 after Rudy's Pet Park in Central Saanich closed. Southern Vancouver Island's climate mirrors their native Italian habitat, enabling rapid establishment.
- The Invasive Species Council of BC reports the lizards spread at about 160 kilometres annually via vehicles and firewood. Gavin Hanke, curator of vertebrate zoology at the Royal BC Museum, warns they impact invertebrate populations daily.
- Hanke noted eradication is now impossible, advising residents to maintain "really boring" gardens with plain, closely cut lawns to deter them. Real estate agent Menzies reported encountering them in crawl spaces and building interiors.
- Biologist Nicholas Wong of the Invasive Species Council confirmed no official management programs oversee population growth. Wong emphasized control requires "a collective effort in the location" to prevent re-invasion from neighboring properties.
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11 Articles
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
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