Nelson green geckos found thriving
The discovery of threatened Nelson green geckos on Tākaka Hill on Saturday evening has given hope for the species’ survival.
Charmaine and Norman Petereit of the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust made the discovery on private land bordering Kahurangi National Park, coming across three of the rarely seen species, suggesting there could be a thriving population in the location. The Nelson green gecko (Naultinus stellatus) is found only in the north-west corner of the South Island.
“It’s incredibly significant, I found the first one and my husband two more,” Charmaine said. “We know that it is one of the most threatened species in the country and usually when they are found it is a oneoff with someone out tramping. The last one was in 2020.
“This discovery provides a glimmer of hope for their long-term survival.”
She said the geckos were solitary and almost impossible to see during the day since they were well camouflaged.
Members of the biodiversity trust, Tākaka Hill landowners, herpetologist Graham Ussher and retired Department of Biodiversity ranger Ivan Rogers have been surveying Tākaka Hill trying to find the geckos.
Petereit said the support of landowners had been imperative. “Landowners are really integral to doing the monitoring because funding is so scarce.”
Intense predator control was required, she said, because the odds of surviving were stacked against the geckos, with such predators as rats, stoats, and other predators in the area.
She said Tākaka Hill had long been recognised as an area of ecological importance and the gecko highlighted the biodiversity significance of the region.
“The trust is committed to working with its partners to develop a conservation management plan, focusing on habitat protection, predator control, and securing funding. This discovery not only highlights the significance of Tākaka Hill as a crucial habitat for the gecko but also serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to safeguard New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.”