Desert Monitor (Varanus griseus) from Mhamid El Ghizlane  (Photo Bouazza Abdellah)

Reptiles face multiple threats including habitat destruction, road mortality, illegal pet trade, local superstitions leading to hunting, climate change, and entrapment in anthropogenic structures like water cisterns (called Matfia). Recent research on the Desert Monitor (Varanus griseus) in Morocco has unveiled an urgent conservation challenge: the unintended consequences of anthropogenic wells (Zdunek et al., 2024). While these wells provide essential water resources to local communities in arid regions, they also pose a severe threat to wildlife (García-Cardenete et al., 2014).

Figure 1. Different structures (Matfias)  found in Morocco. (A) Cistern-big-hole matfia. (B) Cistern- small-hole matfia. (C) Concrete cube matfia. Photos by Gabriel Martínez del Mármol (A–C) and Ignazio Avella (D).

These Matfia often act as traps, leading to significant mortality rates among Varanus griseus (Zdunek et al., 2024) . This problem is especially concerning because this lizard plays a crucial role in its ecosystem. As a predator, it helps control prey populations and contributes to the overall balance of biodiversity in its environment.  The study of Zdunek et al., (2024) underscores the need to raise awareness among local communities about these unintended consequences. Many residents are unaware that their water management practices, while beneficial for human needs, can have devastating effects on local wildlife. Educating communities and promoting sustainable practices can significantly reduce these risks.

We call on conservationists, environmental managers, and the local communities to take collective action to protect wildlife in Morocco. Simple yet effective measures—such as redesigning wells to include escape mechanisms for trapped animals or covering unused wells—can make a substantial difference (Pleguezuelos et al., 2017). Community workshops and conservation campaigns are equally important in fostering local engagement and understanding.

References

• García-Cardenete, L., Pleguezuelos, J. M., Brito, J. C., Jiménez-Cazalla, F., Pérez-García, M. T., & Santos, X. (2014). Water cisterns as death traps for amphibians and reptiles in arid environments. Environmental Conservation, 41(04), 341–349. https://doi.org/10.1017/S037689291400006X 
• Pleguezuelos, J. M., García-Cardenete, L., Caro, J., Feriche, M., Pérez-García, M. T., Santos, X., Sicilia, M., & Fahd, S. (2017). Barriers for conservation: mitigating the impact on amphibians and reptiles by water cisterns in arid environments. Amphibia-Reptilia, 38(1), 113–118. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00003087
• Zdunek, P. Bouazza, A., Martínez del Mármol, G. (2024). Dragons in desert trouble: anthropogenic wells as a potential threat to the Desert Monitor, Varanus griseus (Daudin, 1803), in Morocco. Herpetology Notes 17: 821-826.