A crack team of lizard experts have been searching for the ‘Data Deficient’ Cupola gecko in the hills of the Nelson Lakes National Park.
Continue Reading...Archives For 30/11/1999
The Cook Strait striped gecko is one of the rarest New Zealand lizards. It is found on Stephens Island in the Cook Strait and on Maud Island in Pelorus Sound.
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By Rod Hitchmough
Tony Whitaker passed away in February 2014. He was a herpetologist (studied reptiles and amphibians); a passionate advocate for conservation of, and research on, lizards; and a great friend of the Department.
Tony providing a temporary perch for the largest living gecko species in the world (Rhacodactylus leachianus from New Caledonia)
Tony worked for Ecology Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in the 1960s and 1970s and, since then, had done contract research, writing and biological surveys.
When Tony started his work, he and Joan Robb of the University of Auckland were the only ones working on lizard ecology and taxonomy in New Zealand.
In his Ecology Division days Tony made numerous discoveries and had many insights which were revolutionary at the time but are now accepted as common knowledge.
Tony and DOC Science Advisor James Reardon in their element photographing the rare Rangitata skink in its scree habitat. This species was discovered by Tony in 2004
He was the first to see that lizard faunas were extremely different on islands with and without kiore (Pacific rats). Kiore had been previously regarded as “harmless vegetarians” (apparently no one had wondered whether they had any impact on plants, which we now know they do).
He was the first to use baited pitfall traps for lizards and also the first to survey/monitor nocturnal species by locating their eye-shine using a head-torch and binoculars. He was the first to suggest that lizards might be important pollinators and seed dispersers for some plants, and that pale-coloured small berries carried in the centre of dense divaricating shrubs would be difficult for birds, but very easy for lizards to access.
Black-eyed gecko
He carried out a series of island surveys which greatly improved our understanding of the distribution and conservation status of many species, and discovered many new populations of uncommon species and some new species.
His collections from those trips and other survey trips on the mainland are now a very important component of the Te Papa lizard collection. He also named and wrote the formal description for the black-eyed gecko.
With Bruce Thomas, he prepared and published the first Bibliography of New Zealand lizards, an invaluable research resource which includes even the most obscure publications.
Tony also began the systematic recording of reptile and amphibian distribution records, leading to the development of the current Herpetofauna database, now one of the best sets of distribution data for any group of animals or plants in New Zealand.
Tony’s contribution to lizard conservation was huge. He was a member of every lizard-related recovery group DOC has had, including the Lizard Technical Advisory Group.He was a member of the reptile expert panel for all four assessments of lizard status which have been carried out using the New Zealand Threat Classification System, and earlier contributed to the Molloy and Davis species conservation priority listings.
He prepared lizard action plans and identification guides for many conservancies, and carried out many surveys and research contracts.
In the last few years he was extremely involved with biosecurity issues and had a Ministry for Primary Industries contract to identify all reptiles and amphibians intercepted at the border. Tony and his wife Viv also spent a lot of time in New Caledonia, carrying out surveys of areas proposed for mining. In the process he was also involved in the discovery and naming of many new species of skinks and geckos there.
Tony was a valued personal friend and mentor for many at DOC. As well as knowing a huge amount about lizards and always being willing to share his time and expertise, he was a warm, kind, interested, very humorous, non-judgemental friend. We will miss him enormously.
New Zealand’s largest lizard, and one of the world’s largest geckos, moved onto Motuihe Island this week.
Duvaucel’s gecko
100 Duvaucel’s geckos joined other threatened wildlife already on Motuihe, as part of an ecological restoration programme being implemented by the Motuihe Trust with the support of Iwi and the Department of Conservation.
Geckos play an important role in ecosystems as predator and prey, as well as dispersers of seeds and pollinating plants.
Duvaucel’s geckos are nationally “At Risk” and by reintroducing these animals to Motuihe, the long-term survival of Duvaucel’s gecko will be further assured.
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Threatened geckos to find sanctuary on Motuihe Island – Media release
By DOC Ranger, Kurt Shanks
Today, we’re putting the spotlight on recent innovative activity on Motuihe Island — a conservation jewel in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Ranger John Mills plays a vital role in everything from glamping to gecko translocations and sponsored road repairs.
Donation benefits conservation
A $2,000 donation of roading materials and labour from Fulton Hogan provided an unexpected boost to conservation efforts on Motuihe.
Paul Hart (left) from Fulton Hogan and DOC’s Motuihe
Ranger John Mills, on the road before repairs were
carried out
A donated truck load of black top roading mix has enabled DOC to make the necessary repairs to the deteriorating road surface, with spin-off conservation benefits.
DOC Ranger on the island, John Mills, says the donated materials and labour allow DOC and its partner—the Motuihe Island Restoration Trust—to divert more budget and effort to projects with direct conservation benefits.
The island is pest free, with continued effort by DOC and the Trust to protect endangered native species like the New Zealand dotterel, saddleback, kākāriki, kiwi, shore skinks, bellbirds and tuatara.
Crossing the ditch for Motuihe glamping
John Mills says there is also increasing interest from the corporate sector to visit the island for retreats, conservation education and team building.
The lounge retreat, part of the glamping site on Motuihe Island
In early November the island hosted 60 high-achievers from Fuji Xerox Australia for an overnight ‘glamping’ experience.
The overnighter was organised by wildernest.co.nz who booked out camp sites on the island and ensured guests’ meals were fully catered by chefs.
The spectacular glamping site on Motuihe Island
The Fuji Xerox staff helped DOC and the Trust by carrying out a variety of conservation-orientated volunteer work, and the island was returned to its original condition immediately prior to the guests’ departure, with all rubbish and temporary facilities removed by barge.
Trifecta of gecko translocations—two down, one to go!
Three species of gecko are being translocated to Motuihe over the summer months to help restore ecological links and values to the island.
Releasing geckos
The gecko programme is part of the island’s restoration plan jointly developed by DOC and the Trust, and follows several translocations of rare birds and tuatara.
Geckos were present on the island prior to farming and the arrival of pest animals.
Late last year, 60 common geckos arrived from Otata Island (Noises) to Motuihe on a day which attracted more than 100 volunteers and conservationists, including iwi, the Trust, DOC and community groups.
60 common geckos arrived from Otata Island, which attracted more than 100 volunteers and conservationists
In January 100 Duvaucel’s geckos arrived from Stanley Island (in the Mercury Islands), and in early March 100 Pacific geckos will be translocated from Tarakihi (Shag Island).
Visit Motuihe
With clear waters, sheltered anchorages, visitor facilities and community conservation efforts, the island is particularly popular with summer visitors.
