Invasive Species and Illegal Trade Threaten Reptiles and Cacti

Invasive species and illegal trade push reptiles and cacti closer to extinction, according to the latest IUCN Red List update.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has issued a stark warning about the threats posed by invasive species and illegal trade to several reptile and cactus species.
An update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species highlights the plight of island reptiles facing competition and predation from introduced snakes.

The Ibiza wall lizard is now endangered from near threatened due to a 50% population decline since 2010, caused by the invasive horseshoe whip snake.
Similarly, the Gran Canaria giant lizard and Gran Canaria skink face extinction threats from the introduced California kingsnake, with both species experiencing over 50% population declines since 2014, resulting in their status being updated to endangered from least concern.

The IUCN highlights the illegal trade of ornamental cacti, noting that 82% of Copiapoa cacti (endemic to Chile’s Atacama Desert) are now critically endangered, up from 55% in 2013.
High demand for cacti and succulents around the world, and their popularity in Europe and Asia drives illegal trade. These slow-growing plants are further endangered by infrastructure development and climate change.

Climate change threatens Copiapoa cacti as shifting oceanic fog affects hydration, hindering reproduction for long-lived species.
It notes that poached Copiapoa cacti have a grey tone and a dusty-looking bloom, while cultivated plants appear greener.

The IUCN urges international collaboration to prevent poached plant trafficking and promote greenhouse cultivation of Copiapoa as a sustainable market alternative.
It underscores the urgent need for action, noting the sharp increase in Copiapoa cacti facing extinction, prompting immediate conservation measures outlined in the Red List update.

Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity.
It is a vital global tool for assessing extinction risk across animals, fungi, and plants.
It provides accessible insights into species’ traits, threats, and conservation efforts, guiding conservation decisions and policies worldwide.
The Red List divides species into 9 categories: NE (Not Evaluated), Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct.

Created in 1948, IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
It is a membership union of government and civil society organizations collaborating to promote sustainable development and conservation of nature.