ARCHIVED - Slippery start to summer surveillance on Tabarca Island with the capture of one-metre snake
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
The first of 300,000 tourists expected to visit the island off Alicante coast this summer were greeted by a one-metre snake "wandering the streets"
At least 300,000 tourists are expected to head to Alicante's Tabarca Island this summer and with the influx of visitors already underway, the Guardia Civil reinforced surveillance and police patrols last week.
What they didn't expect was such a slippery start to the seasonal police campaign with one of the first tasks undertaken being the capture of a one-metre snake that "wandered through the main streets to the astonishment of visitors to the island".
In a statement, the Guardia confirmed the reptile was a young specimen of Malpolon monspessulanus, commonly known as the Montpellier snake, which is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake.
Stunned to see the creature slithering through the streets, several members of the public alerted the police and a team from the Guardia's Nature Protection Service, SEPRONA, was quickly on the scene. They captured and identified the snake, which was said to be in good condition but appeared to "have lost its way", and "returned it to its natural habitat unharmed".
The Guardia Civil Santa Pola, in collaboration with Alicante Local Police, is responsible for public safety on Tabarca Island, but given the influx of visitors during the summer months, reinforcements are drafted in from elsewhere in Alicante.
From now until September 15, troops from the Citizen Security Units of the San Vicente Company and USECIC posts of the Command, the Prosecutor and Border Patrols (PAFIF), Alicante Provincial Maritime Service (SMP), the Underwater Activities Group (GEAS), and the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) are deployed.
"Amongst other duties, the aim is to maintain public safety on the island, guarantee the prevention of the safety of tourists, the protection of their property during their stay and the immediate response to any emergencies that may arise," explained the Guardia.
In addition, the Guardia and others monitor maritime traffic, underwater activities, recreational activities, events and parties on board vessels carrying passengers whilst protecting the island's natural environment.
To be listed on the CAMPOSOL TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
To be listed on the CONDADO TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
Guidelines for submitting articles to Camposol Today
Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event.
Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia.
When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible:
Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com
Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc
Include all relevant points, including:
Who is the organisation running the event?
Where is it happening?
When?
How much does it cost?
Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day?
…but try not to exceed 300 words
Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb