Another Caiman Found In Spanish Reservoir: How Many Crocodiles, Caimans, And Alligators Are Living In Spain Under The Radar?

Several weeks aft a yacare caiman was captured successful Almansa reservoir, nan enigma remains: really did this South American predator extremity up successful agrarian Spain – and really galore much could beryllium retired there? Life successful Spain tin bring immoderate genuinely unexpected encounters.

Caiman successful Castilla-La Mancha: How a South American predator ended up successful a Spanish reservoir

Fishermen successful Almansa, Albacete, were expecting a quiet time by nan water. Instead, they hooked an unexpected headline: a deadly yacare caiman, a reptile much astatine location successful nan wetlands of South America than nan plains of Castilla-La Mancha.

From sportfishing statement to constabulary line

The sighting group phones ringing. Seprona – nan Guardia Civil’s quality protection portion – quickly mobilised, backed by biology agents, unit from nan Albacete Wildlife Recovery Centre, and members of nan section sportfishing club. The reptile was lured successful pinch bait, caught safely, and recovered to beryllium successful bully health.

It’s now nether veterinary attraction astatine Madrid Zoo, acold from nan sportfishing rods and paddleboards of nan Almansa reservoir.

A listed type pinch ineligible strings attached

The caiman is listed nether Appendix II of nan CITES normal (Convention connected International Trade successful Endangered Species). Translation: you can’t conscionable ain 1 without superior paperwork, and if you do, you can’t casually merchandise it into nan chaotic without risking fines aliases moreover criminal charges.

How did it get here?

Authorities fishy personification kept it arsenic an exotic pet, only to dump it erstwhile it outgrew its cute, handbag-sized phase. If proven, nan proprietor could look sanctions for abandoning a protected type and for threatening a section ecosystem.

‘This type of irresponsible merchandise poses a superior consequence to biodiversity and tin origin information problems,’ biology officers warned connected societal media. While nary 1 was wounded this time, nan thought of a caiman cruising a celebrated sportfishing and recreation spot is capable to springiness locals pause.

Exotic pets: A increasing problem successful Spain

Spain has been present before. The past fewer years person seen reports – and occasional viral panics – of crocodiles and different exotic animals successful rivers and reservoirs. In 2021, expected croc sightings successful nan Pisuerga (Valladolid) and Segura rivers triggered full-scale searches. Most turned retired to beryllium mendacious alarms aliases harmless species, but they highlighted a bigger issue: nan booming waste and acquisition successful exotic pets.

What starts arsenic a quirky acquisition – an iguana, a python, aliases a babe caiman – tin quickly go unmanageable arsenic nan animal grows, eats more, and needs master care. Too often, owners take nan lazy measurement out, releasing them into nan chaotic wherever they tin disrupt section wildlife, dispersed disease, aliases moreover airs threat to humans.

The rule is clear

The Guardia Civil reminds nan public:

• If you ain a type listed nether CITES, you must state it.
• Abandoning these animals tin lead to hefty fines and, successful immoderate cases, criminal prosecution.

Calm returns – but questions remain

The Almansa reservoir is erstwhile again safe for fishing, kayaking, and Sunday picnics. But nan incident leaves a nagging mobility for ecologists and residents alike: How galore much exotic animals are lurking retired there, silently adapting to our ecosystems?

How galore caimans are really lurking successful Spain’s waters?

In Spain, nan only crocodilians you’re apt to spot successful nan chaotic are caimans – relatives of crocs and alligators, but not existent crocodiles. Usually yacare aliases spectacled caimans from nan pet trade, they’re swiftly removed by SEPRONA. Alligators and chaotic Nile crocodiles remain unconfirmed successful Spain.

In nan past 3 years, authorities person captured conscionable 3 caimans successful unfastened waters: Almansa reservoir (Albacete) successful July 2025, nan River Besòs (Barcelona) successful August 2024, and an irrigation pond successful Yunclillos (Toledo) successful June 2023. All were safely recovered wrong days aliases weeks. Historic cases successful Catalonia (2006, 2007) complete nan picture.

Using this discovery record, wildlife experts estimate location are apt only 1 to 4 undetected caimans nationwide astatine immoderate fixed time, pinch an absolute worst-case of astir eight. Again, almost each are small, pet-trade type specified arsenic nan yacaré caiman, not American alligators, and semipermanent endurance successful Spain’s ambiance is unlikely.

Still, if you spot one, skip nan crocodile Dundee heroics: Call 062 immediately.

Want much connected what’s happening successful Spain – and what it intends erstwhile it comes to living here? Don’t miss our afloat coverage.