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Kathmandu sponsors lizard conservation

This summer, the Department of Conservation, sponsored by Kathmandu, has uncovered new habitats of rare New Zealand alpine geckos, helping to unravel the mysteries of these elusive and unique New Zealand species. The field team, led by lizard specialist Dr. Mandy Tocher, have been running the survey programme with the aid of a lizard-sniffing border terrier, Putiputi rapua, in the South Island's remote alpine areas.

The survey has been generously sponsored by Kathmandu and is further supported by the New Zealand National Parks Conservation Foundation, which has facilitated the sponsorship.

The Hon Chris Carter, Minister of Conservation, says:

"This public-private conservation sponsorship, organised by the New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation, is a real bonus to our ability to protect New Zealand's rare and unique species. This survey has been an important step towards better understanding alpine geckos, enabling us to better protect them in the future." Chris Carter is enthusiastic about the work of the New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation and DOC is one of the founding signatories of the Foundation.

Under the current Kathmandu-sponsored survey project, Dr Tocher, her team and DOC staff have found alpine geckos in new habitats including multiple finds in the Darran Mountains and Cromwell alpine areas. Most notably, they are following up an exciting lead near Aoraki, Mt Cook, with the potential of being the first alpine gecko identified in Canterbury.

This summer's gecko survey has concentrated on the alpine areas south of Aoraki/ Mount Cook. Given the inhospitable nature of the alpine environment - snow, ice and winds at altitudes around 1,500m - surveys must be undertaken during the short window of warmer weather in summer, when the geckos' habitat is not buried under snow. As alpine geckos are nocturnal, there are night shifts searches as well as daytime work sniffing out gecko lairs. Their canine assistant, Putiputi rapua, has been trained to search specifically for geckos. "This innovative technique is a world first for gecko conservation," said Dr Tocher, "and it would not have been possible without Kathmandu's fantastic support".

"Finding range extensions for New Zealand's rare alpine geckos is incredibly exciting," explains Dr Tocher. "It presents another piece in the jigsaw towards gaining a clearer picture of the gecko's range, habitat and behaviour of this unique species. It is essential we learn as much about them as possible to establish their conservation status and ensure their survival."

New Zealand alpine geckos have only just been discovered, and are relatives of the forest gecko. Whereas forest geckos are relatively common and live in trees and shrubs, these newly discovered geckos occupy a very different habitat - alpine rock bluffs, boulder piles and scree above 1,000 metres and seem to be extremely rare. They are very variable in colour and pattern, from drab brownish-grey to bold herringbone and chevron patterns, to the whole animal being virtually covered in blotches of brick-red colour.

"We are incredibly excited about the progress of the project and the finds so far," says Mark Williamson, Kathmandu Marketing Manager. "The project is the first of its type for Kathmandu and if successful the company aims to continue a strong involvement in the work into the future."

"We are really keen to hear about any sightings of geckos either recently or in the past from the alpine zone of South Island mountains - the area above the tree and shrub zone," said Dr Tocher. "We need to know as much as possible about the sightings, and call upon all climbers, trampers and alpine enthusiasts to report sightings or skins." (see attached Q&As for the sort of information needed).