Aja Pendergrast, Auckland Zoo
We’re currently caring for three Alborn skinks in a special facility at the Zoo. This might be 10% of the entire population of this threatened species!
This is part of a collaborative project with our partners the Department of Conservation (DOC) to conserve this Nationally Critical endemic lizard and is an expansion on the mahi we’ve been doing for this species for several years.
Our ectotherm keepers Sonja and Julie have been making annual trips to survey for Alborn skinks in their only known habitat, a small area of swampy forest near Reefton. During the survey period, skinks that are discovered have their morphometrics (weight and length) recorded, and identifying photos are taken, before they are carefully returned to where they were found.
Unfortunately, this area has recently experienced a dramatic increase in mouse activity. Mice can have a devastating impact on lizards as they will prey on them while they are inactive within their hide-holes over the winter, as well as compete with them other food resources. Despite ongoing pest control by DOC which has reduced mouse numbers, there remains a constant threat from mice and other pest predators.
Our long-term population monitoring had indicated there were roughly 100 skinks in this area, but more recent estimates suggest a devastating drop to just 30 or so individuals remaining.
In late autumn, we worked alongside DOC rangers to search for and collect skinks for safe-keeping at the Zoo, a precautionary measure while a new predator-proof fenced lizard reserve is constructed. At this time, only three skinks could be found.
We’ll continue supporting DOC with further surveys later this year to understand how the species is faring. We remain hopeful that more skinks will be detected when the weather warms and are ready to grow the population at the Zoo in the short-term, if needed.
DOC are asking the public to support work to help save the Alborn skink through donations to the New Zealand Nature Fund. Your donations will help the skink population to recover to a healthy level and fund pest control, monitoring and research.
