Background The giant lizard of La Gomera (Gallotia bravoana) is a large saurian endemic to the island of La Gomera that until June 1999 was considered extinct. The rediscovery of a very small population on the cliffs of La Mérica (Valle Gran Rey) was a surprise to biologists and nature managers. There are also indications that the species lived in the central and lower areas of the island of La Gomera in the very recent past. A previous LIFE project (LIFE02 NAT/E/008614) devised a conservation strategy: a recovery plan for the species was approved and a captive breeding programme was started up. The management measures implemented for the protection of the habitat (mainly cat control) allowed the population to increase significantly in the wild; a new captive population of 44 individuals was also created. Therefore, new prospects were envisaged for this species, considered to be one of the most threatened reptiles in the world. The awareness raising actions undertaken also helped local residents to appreciate the relevance of the species. Objectives The main objective of this new project was to further implement the conservation strategy by carrying out the first reintroductions of the species in favourable habitats. To this end, the project foresaw: The conditioning of the areas selected for the reintroductions (areas of Community Importance that maintained populations of the species until recent times); At least two experimental reintroductions with individuals born in captivity; The protection of already known populations from the main threats (especially predators); The reinforcement of the captive breeding programme begun in 2001; and The development of environmental education campaigns, especially those addressed at the La Gomera Population. Results The project carried out a series of measures that aimed to protect the natural population and its habitat, search for other possible populations, develop breeding in captivity, create new populations, improve knowledge of the species and environmental education. Specifically, the project erected signposts indicating the area where the giant lizard population is located, within the SCI ‘Risco de La Mérica’. Four panels were installed to inform locals about the fragility of the ecosystem and those activities allowed or restricted in the area. The area where the giant lizard is known to be located (Risco de la Mérica) as well as the future reintroduction areas (El Roquillo, Los Órganos, La Morriña and Acantilados de Alajeró) were cleared of predators, such as rodents and cats through the use of Tomahawk® live capture traps. Stray cats were sterilised and castrated. Once this task was accomplished, the five target areas were fenced to avoid the access of predators. the government of the Canary started the procedures for the designation of the area, ‘Acantilados de Alajeró’, as a SCI. This would be an important milestone as this area was scientifically determined as suitable for reintroductions of Giant Lizard as part of the previous project. An experimental reintroduction was tested in El Roquillo, an area that is difficult access, through the release of six male specimens of the giant lizard. This reintroduction seemed to be a complete failure: two years after the release, no trace of the liberated lizards could be found. This area turned out to be not appropriate due to its inhospitality. Another important action was to study in depth the structure of the giant lizard population. To this end, a census of the natural population was undertaken in 2009. Results obtained show that the natural population has increased – around 160 individuals/ha in El Risco de La Mérica. The natural population in this area is much greater than previously thought. However, the area of Quiebracanillas, which was believed to host a subpopulation of the Giant lizard, was found to be only a feeding area. Besides the monitoring of the known population and in view of the need to provide a solution to the loss of genetic diversity, a great effort was made to search for other possible populations in the whole island of La Gomera. After intensive tracking and despite the fact that in the past some lizards were found near to the natural population, currently the species is only found in La Mérica. One of the main actions of the project was the captive programme breeding developed in the recovery centre at Valle Gran Rey. Until 2009, the programme was not running well and the reproductive rate was lower than expected. The beneficiary, however has been testing different protocols since the end of 2008, with the support of the technicians in charge of the captive breeding programme in El Hierro island, the veterinarians involved in the project and researchers from the Universities of La Laguna and Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, who are responsible of the genetic study and the early sex determination. Currently, there is a better control of each step of the captive breeding programme (veterinary control, optimum conditions of the terrariums, appropriate diet, adequate incubators, etc.), so it is expected that from now on better results will be obtained. The growth rate in captivity surpasses that observed in the wild; captive lizards reach sexual maturity before free lizards. However, captive breeding is still quite complicated. The inclusion of new captive specimens in the breeding programme has not led to a significant increase of the annual hatchings. Many factors need clarifying in order to achieve an optimum captive breeding programme. Furthermore, several studies focusing on giant lizard conservation problems were undertaken during the course of the project. They have greatly contributed to the improvement of the captive breeding programme. Finally, the project developed the awareness raising campaign through the project website, courses offered to civil servants, seminars for the island’s teachers, a public bus sign painted with images of the giant lizard, talks and visits to the recovery centre and the distribution of information materials. The LIFE has furthered conservation of this emblematic species and has led the way for future measures. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).