VALVERDE (EL HIERRO), 11 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Cabildo of El Hierro is organising this Tuesday, at 9:00 a.m. in Punta de Agache, a release of approximately 70 adult specimens – comprising both males and females – of the El Hierro giant lizard, out of the 114 available at the Lagartario in Los Palmeros.
The Regional Minister for the Environment, Jesús Pérez, along with the technical team responsible for the recovery programme for this endangered species, will attend the event.
The Cabildo has stated in a notice that the measurement, sex classification, and confirmation of the identification code for each specimen to be released will be carried out this Monday.
Following this, they will receive antiparasitic veterinary treatment (utilising Panacur) and a subcutaneous injection of saline solution, to be administered by the Cabildo Herreño’s veterinarian, Pedro Padrón.
Additionally, at least 10 cloth bags will be prepared to contain the specimens for release (7 specimens per bag), which will be placed in bags for collection by the climbers.
Furthermore, during the days leading up to the reintroduction, nourishment has been provided to the specimens using plant species native to the release area.
This procedure involved distributing pieces (leaves, flowers, or fruits) throughout the terrarium and in various locations with each supply. This way, the lizard will learn to locate its food independently, as it will need to do when it is returned to the natural environment.
TRANSPORT AND REINTRODUCTION OF SPECIMENS
The bags with the specimens will be moved this Tuesday to the upper part of the reintroduction site (Punta de Agache), where staff from the Tenerife-Vertical company will transport them to the final release location.
Upon arrival, each specimen will be released close to a suitable shelter (a fissure or cavity large enough to accommodate sizeable lizards) and, whenever feasible, near vegetation that could serve as food.
Additionally, a distance of between 20 and 50 metres must be maintained between each release location.
Conversely, considering information from the climbers that indicates there are still surviving specimens from a previous release in Punta de Agache, the newcomers should be released in areas distant from spots where excrement from this year is present.
This new release necessitates substantial preparatory work for the specimens at the Los Palmeros lagartario, located in the Gulf Valley, where they are educated to defend themselves from predators and manage their feeding and survival in the wild, a crucial phase within the recovery plan for this unique and emblematic species of the island of El Hierro.