Switzerland

Reptile populations in Switzerland are steadily declining. The situation is particularly critical for the ring-necked snake and the Aesculapian snake. Amphibians are faring slightly better, with protection measures having partially halted their decline.

On Thursday, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) published updated red lists for the two classes of animal, reptiles and amphibians.

The results show that more than 80% of the sixteen reptile species native to Switzerland are on the Red List, in accordance with the criteria defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Compared with neighbouring countries, Switzerland has a particularly high proportion of threatened reptiles. ...