The effort to control the invasive California kingsnake, present on the island since 1998, has reached unprecedented levels in 2026. By the end of July, 2,700 specimens had been captured, surpassing the previous annual record of 2,676 snakes removed throughout 2023.
This achievement is particularly notable as the beginning of 2026 experienced cold weather conditions that delayed the species' surface activity. Despite this, monthly records were broken in June and July, with 807 and 494 captures respectively, exceeding the prior peaks of 623 (June 2025) and 357 (July 2025).
Projections suggest that the total number of specimens removed from the natural environment by the end of 2026 could reach approximately 2,800. The control program, co-funded by the Environment Department of the Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands, and executed by Gesplan, has reinforced its staff and active traps to coincide with the months of highest species activity.
