Rats away so lizards can play

The lizard population roaming St Paul's Islands can finally bask in the sun and thrive after their prime enemy, the rats, were exterminated.

The lizards (Podarcis filfolensis kieselbachi), endemic to the habitat on the islands, were at risk of extinction so the Nature Environment Protection Unit of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority embarked on restoring the ecology.

Studies carried out by the university indicated that the biodiversity of the islands, especially the lizard population, were suffering from the proliferation of rats.

Backed by the HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund, the unit last year captured four lizards, three male and one female, and kept them in safety while they worked on exterminating the rat population on the island, which swam over from the mainland.

The rats were kings of the island, feeding on the rubbish campers left behind and munching on a lizard or two when food was scarce. Their reign was over when poison became their staple diet, and the unit is confident the majority have been eradicated.

Nadia Suda Lanzon, unit senior environment protection officer, yesterday released the three lizards (the female had died), which had been held in the unit's custody, in time for the breeding season.

She said they had witnessed a number of female lizards roving through the garigue on the islands and they were confident their population will thrive once again.

The lizards on St Paul's Islands are slightly bigger than the ones on the mainland and have more yellow colouring and black spots.

Ms Suda Lanzon said the islands had been designated a nature reserve and a special area of conservation in 2003, which meant that people could only land before sunset and walk through the designated footpaths.

However, few people knew this and Ms Suda Lanzon is keen to see more awareness and the law enforced so that the habitat will be safeguarded.

The natural vegetation has improved significantly and groups in the eco system - such as insects, reptiles and spiders - are now recovering. Some alien vegetation, such as the prickly pear, have been removed.

"Our rescue efforts have worked and the unit has done a great job. It is encouraging to see new life taking shape on St Paul's Islands. It gives us additional motivation to keep up our efforts towards conservation initiatives," said HSBC fund director Victor Friggieri.