Unfortunately, the occurrence of this species has been reduced to only a few residual populations: the uninhabited rocky islets La Canna (off Filicudi), Scoglio Faraglione (off Salina) and Strombolicchio (off Stromboli). The remaining population on Vulcano Island has literally collapsed within the last 30 years.

It must be supposed that the Aeolian Wall Lizard has been crowded out on the main islands by introduced Podarcis siculus, which are now omnipresent on the whole archipelago. Tourism and construction in its natural habitats may have contributed to the extinction of Podarcis raffonei. Overall, it seems to be critically endangered.

The nominate subspecies lives on Strombolicchio. The other populations are referred to subspecies alvearioi. On Vulcano, this species can be distinguished from Podarcis siculus by its dark spots on the throat. Furthermore, Podarcis siculus has green backs, whereas Podarcis raffonei on Vulcano has brown backs. Anyhow, the spreading Podarcis siculus has hybridized with the native lizards. Hence, specimens with intermediate characteristics can be found.