Tracy Menzies faced a long-standing battle with slugs in her backyard garden, but this year, she celebrated the success of her strawberries, which turned out exceptionally well. The reason behind the slugs’ decline appears to be the invasive European wall lizard, known for swiftly spreading and devouring various creatures, including slugs, insects, and spiders.
Living near the Gorge Waterway in Saanich, Menzies observed a surge in the lizard population in her yard over the past few months. She noted a significant decrease in slug presence coinciding with the increase in wall lizards, suggesting a possible correlation.
Gavin Hanke, the curator of vertebrate zoology at the Royal B.C. Museum, estimated that there are approximately 800,000 to a million European wall lizards in B.C., predominantly concentrated on Vancouver Island. Their rapid expansion, reaching as far as Campbell River, raises concerns about their environmental impact.
Hanke emphasized the urgent need to adapt to coexisting with the proliferating lizard population, which poses a threat to local invertebrates. The lack of formal management programs to regulate their growth heightens the challenge of preserving ecological balance.
The origin of the lizards in B.C. traces back to a deliberate release of a dozen specimens in 1970 following the closure of Rudy’s Pet Park in Central Saanich. They have since adapted well to the climate of Southern Vancouver Island, thriving due to its climate suitability.
To prevent further spread, individuals are advised to maintain unattractive habitats for the lizards, such as plain, well-manicured lawns. Hanke stressed the importance of collective efforts in controlling the lizard population, as isolated removal attempts may prove futile.
Despite the difficulty in eradicating the lizards entirely, Hanke highlighted the responsibility of humans in disrupting ecosystems and unintentionally introducing invasive species like the European wall lizard. He cautioned against transferring the lizards to new areas, emphasizing the risk of further proliferation.
In conclusion, the challenge of managing the European wall lizard invasion underscores the need for proactive measures to mitigate their impact and preserve the native ecosystem.