Hibiscus Coast Lizard Surveys

Pest free Hibiscus Coast is an organization dedicated to monitoring and conserving native wildlife on the Hibiscus Coast. They undertake many surveys and trapping programs, and have done many of such over the years, with the current project being surveys of lizard populations in the area. The lizard surveys are being organised by Jenny Hanwell (project manager of Pest free Hibiscus Coast) and Dylan Van Winkel (professional herpetologist), and are taking place along the Hibiscus Coast from near Waiwera, down to Okura Bush and along the Whangaparāoa peninsula to the border of Shakespear park. No surveys take place in Shakespear park itself as some of the lizard species in the park are significantly rarer and need professionals to survey. 

There are 2 separate classes of surveying; one for day time skink surveys, which involve flipping over ACOs (Artificial cover objects, these are basically shelters for skinks to hide under), and one for night time gecko surveys, which involve using torches to spot the geckos in the trees. 

These surveys are undertaken by volunteers who are trained beforehand (separate training sessions occur for skink and gecko surveys). Some of the species that are being monitored via this survey are Copper Skink, Ornate Skink, Moko Skink, Forest gecko, Elegant gecko and Pacific Gecko. 

This is a very unique project, being 1 of about 3 in New Zealand, as skinks and geckos are hard to monitor without handling(of which handling is illegal without a special permit which is acquired through intense studying and training) and are generally quite hard to find and identify without much experience, which most volunteers don’t have prior to training.  This is the second year this project is taking place, and the actual surveys have either already started or are starting in the next few days. 

There will likely be another survey of the same aspect conducted next year for further study, which kids are welcome to get involved in with the supervision of a trusted adult. The easiest way for parents to learn more about these opportunities for their children is to follow the “Pest-Free Hibiscus Coast” Facebook page. The main reason these surveys are being done is to gain insight into how the major trapping efforts on the Hibiscus Coast are impacting native reptile populations, as both native skinks and geckos are very sensitive to introduced species, and are slow breeders. 

Article by Owen Mikosza

Cover photo - Forest Gecko © Keegan Tinsel