Rare spotted skink spotted for the first time in half a century excites conservationists
A rare Canterbury spotted skink, not sighted in more than 50 years, has scientists hopeful it may mean the start of a new population for the nationally endangered reptile.
There are thought to be fewer than 1000 of the species left, with a previous stronghold population having collapsed at Kaitorete Spit, near Christchurch.
Now, a possible new population has been discovered after fly-fishing guide Martin Langlands snapped a picture of the reptile in the Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park and Castle Hill area, about an hour from Christchurch.
“It was large and had gorgeous greenish spots and really shone in the sun,” Langlands said.
“I thought it might be something special.”
The skink had not been seen in the area for more than 50 years. Photo / Supplied
Herpetologists - scientists who study reptiles - then identified it was in fact something special – a rare Canterbury spotted skink.
In a recent threat ranking, an expert panel classified the Canterbury spotted skink as Nationally Endangered.
But when researchers visited the area, they spotted three more.
Department of Conservation senior technical adviser and lizard expert Lynn Adams said the discovery was exciting.
“We thought they were long gone from this area. The fact they have been seen up there means there may be more,” Adams said.
“This species has been really battling over the past few years and is very vulnerable to mice, hedgehogs, weasels, rats, stoats, and cats.
“The recent loss of what was once considered a stronghold population at Kaitorete Spit highlights how vulnerable the Canterbury spotted skink remains.”
Researchers found three more skinks after a fly-fisher photographed one. Photo / Supplied
Adams said lizards were “amazing creatures” and often considered underdogs in the conservation world.
“Lizards are the most amazing creatures. We have 147 species found nowhere else in the world,” she said.
“Everyone knows a lot of our bird species, but lizards are the underdogs.”
Adams said there were steps people could take when out in nature to look after the lizard population.
“There are three simple things you can do: help us look out for them and, if you see one, take a photo; make your garden lizard-friendly; and, finally, enjoy the awesomeness of our native lizards,” she said.
“That would make us lizard lovers very happy.”
Christchurch-based ecologist and herpetologist Dr Marieke Lettink said the sighting of the species opened “a whole swathe of country where they could be”.
“They are very distinctive, large with a beautiful green sparkle,” Lettink said.
“If people are out naturing, fly-fishing, walking on Banks Peninsula, the central Canterbury foothills or in the Waimakariri Basin and you see something like this, take a photo and record where you are and send it into us.”
Lettink added fly-fishers are very good at spotting various species as they’re observant about their surroundings and standing still for periods of time.
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