Management and welfare of seized common chameleons and ecological diagnosis in Morocco

Understanding ecology and improving the management of Moroccan chameleons to guide data-driven conservation strategies.

Project summary

The common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) is relatively common in Morocco, but its local populations remain poorly documented in terms of ecology, morphology and health. At the same time, the species is subject to overexploitation and uncontrolled collection in the wild, leading to regular seizures by Moroccan authorities and in Europe. The management of these seized animals now poses major challenges in terms of conservation and animal welfare.

This project has two complementary objectives:

Management and welfare of seized chameleons – development of protocols for temporary care, health assessment and responsible release to improve the care of individuals intercepted in trafficking
Ecological diagnosis and threat assessment – mapping and study of natural populations in Morocco to identify critical areas and pressures (climatic, anthropogenic, cultural) affecting the species and to inform future conservation strategies.

Objectives

Axis 1 – Management and welfare of seized chameleons

Define minimum conditions of captivity to ensure the survival and welfare of seized chameleons.
Develop health and behavioural protocols to guide decisions on release or integration into specialised centres.
Build a morphological and genetic database to identify the origin of individuals and consider ecological repatriation.
Train local and international stakeholders (veterinarians, NGOs, customs, zoos, shelters and care centres) in best practices for the care and transport of seized chameleons.

Axis 2 – Ecological diagnosis and threat assessment

Map the distribution of chameleon populations in Morocco and identify priority areas.
Analyse the morphological and ecological variability of populations and their habitat conditions.
Identify major threats (collection, habitat destruction, cultural persecution, climate change) through field observations and ethnobiological surveys.
Formulate conservation recommendations incorporating local knowledge and traditional practices.

Methods

Ecological and morphometric inventories: standardised surveys in different environments (coastal, agricultural, wooded areas) to describe the distribution and morphology of populations.
Genetic analyses: non-invasive collection (swabs, tissue samples) to characterise population structure and link individuals to their areas of origin.
Ethnobiological surveys: interviews with local communities, collectors and authorities to understand traditional uses, collection in the natural environment, illegal trade and anthropogenic pressures.
Climate and spatial modelling: projection of potential changes in the distribution range under different climate change scenarios in order to identify priority refuge areas.
Zootechnical and captivity tests: experiments conducted with care centres, refuges and zoos to define the optimal conditions for keeping and the criteria for releasing captured chameleons.

Expected benefits

Establishment of effective protocols for the management and, where possible, release of seized chameleons, to be used by authorities, care centres, shelters and zoos involved in the care of animals obtained through illegal collection.
Acquisition of new scientific knowledge on the ecology, morphology and health status of the common chameleon in Morocco, to serve as a basis for targeted conservation measures.
Coordinated capacity building for local and international actors (government services, NGOs, care centres, shelters, zoos) in the fight against illegal collection and the improvement of wildlife care practices.
Integration of local knowledge and awareness-raising among communities and decision-makers on the importance of species conservation, promoting a collaborative and sustainable approach.