Tracy Menzies had been battling slugs in her backyard garden for years, but this season, the strawberries in her garden turned out to be exceptionally beautiful. The reason for this newfound success seems to be the increase in numbers of European wall lizards in her area near the Gorge Waterway in Saanich. These invasive lizards are rapidly spreading and consuming a variety of creatures, including slugs.
According to Menzies, the presence of wall lizards in her yard coincided with the disappearance of slugs, indicating that the lizards may be preying on them. These lizards, mostly found on Vancouver Island, have multiplied significantly, with estimates ranging from 800,000 to a million in British Columbia. Gavin Hanke, a curator at the Royal B.C. Museum, expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the lizards’ rapid expansion.
Experts believe that the initial population of European wall lizards in B.C. originated from a deliberate release in 1970. The lizards find the climate of Southern Vancouver Island suitable for their survival, leading to their rapid spread. While they primarily feed on insects and invertebrates, they have also been observed consuming fruits like figs.
Attempts to control the spread of these lizards have not been successful, with experts emphasizing the need for collective efforts within communities to manage the invasion. Hanke highlighted that it is too late to eradicate the lizards and emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for introducing them into the ecosystem. He cautioned against relocating these lizards to prevent further spread to neighboring regions.
In conclusion, the presence of European wall lizards on Vancouver Island poses challenges for local ecosystems, requiring collaborative efforts to mitigate their impact.