<
https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/sombrero-ground-lizard-conservation-project/>
'The Sombrero ground lizard was nearing extinction in 2018, with fewer than 100
creatures remaining. However, thanks to efforts by Fauna & Flora, Anguilla
National Trust, and Re:wild, the rare lizard species is making a strong
comeback.
"In 2018, following yet another severe hurricane, we feared it might be the end
for the Sombrero ground lizard," says Farah Mukhida, executive director at
Anguilla National Trust, according to Fauna & Flora.
Conservation efforts began in 2021, focusing not only on building up the
species count, but also on helping the island's plant life to recover. In only
three years, the Sombrero ground lizard population is estimated to be more than
1,600, according to Fauna & Flora.
Sombrero is an uninhabited island located in the Lesser Antilles near Anguilla.
Its near-environmental destruction is the result of numerous factors, including
mice that had been introduced to the island, former phosphate mining, and
hurricane destruction.
Intervention was necessary, as Sombrero is home to many unique creatures.
In addition to homing seabirds, the island alone supports the Sombrero Island
wind scorpion, a currently unnamed pygmy gecko, and the Sombrero Island bee.
Through the conservation efforts, the mice have been eradicated, according to
the report, and native plants — such as seagrape, prickly pear, and sea bean —
have been replanted.'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
