The skinks are being returned from Auckland Zoo, where they have been cared for and successfully bred since 2016, after their only known habitat was severely impacted by coastal erosion. The skinks were flown to Nelson by Air New Zealand and transported to the release site by vehicle.
These skinks live in a unique environment consisting of beach stones or “cobbles” and were believed to be in severe decline, occupying less than one hectare of coastline habitat in 2016.
At the time, it was thought there were less than 100 left in the wild. Based on this information the species was classified as Nationally Critical and thought to be under imminent threat of extinction with every passing storm.
An emergency rescue salvage of 35 individuals was undertaken in 2016, with six more transferred in 2022. These animals have been cared for by expert herpetologists at Auckland Zoo and bred in the Zoo’s specialist facilities to reach 148 individuals.
DOC Biodiversity Project Lead Kate Simister says, “We are really pleased to have found the situation is not as dire as originally thought. Although significant threats such as predation, coastal erosion and weeds encroaching on their habitat still face cobble skink in the long-term, for now, we can return the captive population to the wild and focus our efforts on in-situ management and protection.”