Invasive animals are taking over on the island of Mallorca

INVASIVE species are spreading on the island of Mallorca.

The Balearic Islands Fauna Recovery Consortium (COFIB) has denounced these animals, also known as exotics, are taking over local wildlife.

Only in 2013, the COFIB recovered 334 exotic animals, including coatis and racoons from America.

These could be bought in pet shops until 2012, year in which their sale was banned.

They are called invasive as they displace and threaten local animals like the endangered Mallorcan midwife toad or ‘ferreret.’

Most of them served as pets until they just grew too big or their owners realised they couldn’t live in enclosed spaces.

Others, like the Pine Processionary caterpillar or the red palm weevil, arrived in the island through imported plants.

Once they are released and in the wild, they find a new home in the Tramuntana area thanks to its forests and little human presence.

There, they gather together creating a colony which ultimately threatens local wildlife.