Canarias
Giant Lizard found on La Palma
By h.b.
Dec 19, 2007 - 7:09 PM

The giant La Palma lizard Gallotia auaritae was thought to have been as dead as the dodo, but now José Antonio Mateo, from the species recovery centre on the Canary Island of La Gomera has found the species still at large on the island of La Palma.

As long as 25 years ago it was thought the only giant lizards to survive were on Gran Canaria, but since then small colonies of the reptile have been found on Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and now La Palma.

The reptile found is thought to be between 301 and 312 mm long and is thought to be about four years old. The experts think the lizard is looking for a new base on the island and that a new search be carried out immediately for the future protection of the species.