The dangers of invasive species to Menorca’s native wildlife: new family activity at the Wildlife Recovery Center

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This Tuesday, August 27th, starting at 6:30 PM, the Menorca Wildlife Recovery Center will host a special family workshop. During this event, we will explore the stories of exotic animals such as iguanas, American and African tortoises, and other species that now reside at our hospital. How did these animals from distant lands find their way to Menorca? Through interactive games, we will learn about these creatures and the challenges that invasive species pose to our native wildlife.

The story of Fausto as an example

Fausto is an African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) native to the Sahel region. Eleven years ago, he was found injured after being hit by a car on a road in Menorca. Thanks to the efforts of the Wildlife Recovery Center team, Fausto was saved, and he now lives in our facilities. However, Fausto cannot be released back into the wild on Menorca. How did he end up here?

The exotic pet trade creates problems both for these animals and for the local fauna where they are released or escape. When these animals find themselves in new environments, they can become invasive species, competing with native species and causing significant imbalances in ecosystems. They may harm local wildlife by competing for resources, spreading diseases, or altering natural habitats. This situation can be incredibly challenging, but we will address it in an engaging and educational way this Tuesday at the Wildlife Recovery Center. Understanding these issues is crucial to protecting our local species and maintaining biodiversity.

Visit us!

Remember, the Wildlife Recovery Center is open to visitors Monday through Saturday, starting at 6:00 PM and continuing until sunset.

The Center is located within the Lithica Quarry (Pedreres de s’Hostal). To visit the Center, you must first purchase a Lithica entry ticket, which can be obtained in advance at Lithica’s website (€4 for residents, €7 for non-residents, and free for children under 13). Tickets can also be purchased at the entrance for an additional €1.

Access to the Lithica Quarry is located at Camí Vell de Ciutadella, km 1. Once inside, come to the Center, where we will ask for a €2 supplement. Entry is free for children under the age of 13.

Find more details about each family activity in the featured activities section on our homepage.

Your visit greatly helps us in our work. We look forward to welcoming you!