**2.4 The case of the cattle heron on the Island of Lanzarote (Las Palmas Province, Canary Islands, Spain)**

Cattle heron (*Bubulcus ibis*) makes migratory movements from Africa to spend the winter in the Canary Islands, due to the lack of food at that time in Africa, returning to the continent to reproduce.

Accidentally a wounded specimen could be cared for by a human and attracted a couple, getting to reproduce on the island of Lanzarote and starting a breeding colony on the island, which reaches 1,500 individuals (**Figure 15**).

This population, that nest in the city of Arrecife, the island's capital, is seriously endangering the conservation of endemic reptile species, which they capture as the basis of their diet. The authorities do not solve the problem firmly. They are allowing the disappearance of reptiles and causing damage to other species of birds on the island (**Figure 15**).

An island is a very sensitive ecosystem. Not acting is irresponsible [32].
