Seven Pitiusan lizards have been found dead inside an abandoned energy drink can near Cala Llentrisca, in the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, raising fresh concerns about the impact of litter on Ibiza's native wildlife.

The discovery was publicised by Ibiza resident Marc Torres, who shared a video showing the dead reptiles inside the container. The incident highlights a less visible danger posed by discarded rubbish in the island's natural spaces, where cans and bottles can become traps for small animals.

How the Lizards Became Trapped

According to reports about the discovery, the can was found during a walk in the Cap Llentrisca area. Torres suggested that the smell or remains of the drink may have attracted the lizards, which could then have become trapped inside the container.

However, the precise cause of death has not been established. The can reportedly still contained some liquid, and its condition and the length of time it had been abandoned were unknown.

The discovery is particularly concerning because small reptiles can struggle to escape from smooth-sided containers. When discarded cans or bottles are left accessible to wildlife, animals that enter them may be unable to climb back out.

A Threat to Ibiza's Native Wildlife

The Pitiusan lizard, known locally as the sargantana pitiüsa and scientifically as Podarcis pityusensis, is native to Ibiza and Formentera. It is an important part of the islands' natural environment and is included among protected wildlife species in the Balearic Islands.

The species already faces pressure from invasive snakes, which have spread across parts of the Pityusic Islands and threaten local lizard populations.

The discovery at Cala Llentrisca draws attention to another potential danger: human waste left behind in the countryside and coastal areas. Torres noted that the find occurred in an area where invasive snakes had reportedly not yet arrived, underlining the concern that wildlife can face threats even where that particular pressure is absent.

Why Discarded Cans and Bottles Matter

The incident has renewed attention on the consequences of leaving rubbish in natural areas. Empty drink containers may appear harmless, but their shape and smooth interior surfaces can prevent small animals from escaping after entering.

Similar cases have also been reported in Ibiza. Local environmental reporting has described other lizards found trapped in discarded cans and bottles, including incidents in urban areas.

Visitors and residents can help reduce these risks by taking all rubbish home or placing it in appropriate bins, and by collecting discarded containers when it is safe to do so.

The discovery of seven dead lizards in a single can serves as a stark reminder that litter is not simply an environmental eyesore. Left behind in the natural environment, it can become a direct hazard to the wildlife that makes Ibiza distinctive.