Conservation

The Milos viper (Macrovipera schweizeri) is a viper species endemic to only four of the West Cyclades islands in Greece (Milos, Kimolos, Polyaigos and Sifnos). There have been anecdotal references of its presence on the islands of Antimilos and Kythnos but they have never been confirmed. "It is assessed as Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) because its extent of occurrence is less than 900 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) based on the maximum possible AOO of these four small islands, is less than 500 km². Each of the four small islands is considered to represent one or (in the case of Milos) two locations (resulting in four or five total threat-defined locations), and there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat projected as a result of planned mining and quarrying operations" (source: IUCN RED LIST). All the above highlight the importance of conservation actions to ensure that the species endures.

As mentioned in the homepage, Macrovipera schweizeri is directly protected by both national Presidential Decree No. 67, Government Gazette 23/A/30-1-81, "On the protection of wild flora and fauna and the establishment of a coordination and control procedure for research on them" and international legislation (Bern Convention Appendix II "Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats", Council Directive 92/43/EEC of May 21 1992 "On the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna". Additionally, the entire island of Polyaigos, almost half of Milos, Kimolos and Sifnos happen to be also protected under the Natura 2000 protected areas network. One would think that the above would guarantee an efficient scheme to effectively protect the species within its already restricted range, but unfortunately this is not the case. In a nutshell, even if the species is categorized as Endangered by both IUCN RED LIST and by RED LIST GREECE (N.E.C.C.A.), protected by three legal frameworks and predominantly occurs within strictly protected areas it is still heavily persecuted and threatened. The population trend for the species is currently categorized as "Decreasing" by IUCN. A number of cumulative threats lead to this description. In the past the population from Sifnos was considered extinct by some researchers due to inability to find individuals during surveys. We now know that is not the case, rather the species tends to need a differentiated surveying approach and tons of  patience and a lot of luck. The total number of individuals throughout its distribution is calculated between 3,300 - 4,000 individuals. 

Between the four islands there are different threats and they manifest in different intensity. Direct persecution, intentional killing and invasive species (i.e. feral and domestic cats and dogs) that directly target the viper have been documented time and again on all four islands. Luckily, the bounty system that was in place and rewarded the successful killing of the vipers ended in 1977. In the years to follow illegal collection became a plague for the island of Milos in particular with estimations stating that over a thousand individuals were moved from the wild to private collections throughout the world annually. Recently this number has been reduced significantly with an annual estimation of about a hundred vipers removed annually. Considering the vast numbers of illegally collected individuals in the past one would think that collectors' appetite for wild specimens would have quenched by now, opting for captive and hardier individuals. Accidental road mortality and ongoing habitat loss (particularly for tourism infrastructure) are occurring on the islands of Milos, Kimolos and Sifnos. In Milos the operation of a mining company 24/7 year round is exponentially increasing the number of viper killed on roads by the company's lorries. Wildfires are also frequently recorded on these three islands further exacerbating the situation.

A single significant conservation action has been successfully implemented by Ioannis Ioannidis between 2005 - 2009 with the construction of underpasses and barriers in key areas of the road network in the West part of Milos. At the same time an agreement was reached so that the mining company would stop altogether the traffic of lorries during the night in the summer months. The overall results were very encouraging as the road mortality was decreased by almost 50% over this period. Undoubtedly, similar actions need to be employed along with a targeted effort to raise awareness with the local citizens. In the spring and summer of 2024 the first open talks took place on all three inhabited islands. On the islands of Milos, Kimolos and Sifnos with the support of the local municipalities and agencies more than a hundred locals attended. The combination of different conservation actions can surely assist the Milos viper in the long run. A system of checks at the port and the involvement of the local authorities in road patrolling for illegal collectors in spring would further safeguard the islands populations. Education and collaboration seem to be the prism through which future conservation projects should be viewed.

In February 2025 an article was published by a Greek newspaper on the imminent construction boom on the island of Μilos (above picture). You can visit the link and use automatic translation to read the article, the image is sourced by the same article and can also be translated using online AI platforms. In a nutshell, back dots are already approved construction projects and light brown dots have been per-approved. As previously mentioned, the west side of Milos, is part of two Natura 2000 sites that are strictly protected (GR4220020, GR4220030) and harbors the healthiest population of the Milos viper across its range. It is a drought-suffering area with almost zero water present. What is interesting is that touristic projects offering 100 or more rooms are obliged to carry out an environmental impact assessment, however, conveniently enough most projects have declared 99 rooms. Also at times a single project that uses the same basic facilities (e.g. waste, sewage systems) is virtually split into two separate projects to evade conducting the same assessments. One application for a massive hotel has already been fast-track approved with a series of direct government decisions and will be offering 125 rooms and an equal number of pools (black dot numbered 1). The above map was the result of public uprising against a permit given by the Greek government for a massive project right at the heart of Sarakiniko, one of the most iconic landscapes of Milos island and was featured in the same newspaper. 

All the above are worrying to say the least. Unfortunately, Greece is a country famous for construction shortcuts and for little to no regard for environmental impacts as can be seen by similar articles on the massive establishment of wind turbines - again on Natura 2000 sites all over the country. You can navigate through all current and future projects here and you can see the current plan for wind turbine parks on Milos, Kimolos and Polyaigos islands (as of early 2025 no such plans exist for Sifnos). As one can see, most wind turbines are to be placed on Natura 2000 sites, with most worrying case being that of Polyaigos island. But all things aside, what is appalling is not the hotels or the wind farms themselves or even the roads that will be opened to facilitate the massive construction processes.  It is the complete disregard for processes that have to be respected and carried out to ensure that biodiversity is protected and conserved before any construction is even approved. As of the last few years we are witnessing a surge in bogus and misleading environmental impact assessments on a massive scale with no actual fieldwork ever conducted. Unfortunately, decades of corruption within the Greek governments leave little hope for the future in such matters. Now more than ever, herpetologists must work together to ensure that the Milos viper endures the added effects of the threats and pressures it is currently facing.