Raid on zoo's rare reptiles

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

GECKOS GONE: Hamilton Zoo bird and reptile keeper Kara Goddard inspects the damage after four lizards were stolen in a ram raid- a pair of Madagascan day geckos, top left, and a pair of bearded dragons, top right.

Relevant offers

Four unusual lizards stolen in a smash-and-grab at Hamilton Zoo could be destined for the black market.

Thieves cut through three sets of chained and padlocked doors and broke into the enclosure - just to the right of the zoo entrance - on Friday night.

They smashed a glass panel and caught a pair of madagascan day geckos.

They also took a pair of bearded dragons - on loan from a private collector - and attempted to get into the tuatara cage.

Waikato Times inquiries found the madagascan day gecko - a striking lime green colour - could be worth thousands of dollars on the black market.

New Zealand Herpetological Society national committee member David Wilkinson believed it was likely the lizards were stolen to be sold on the black market.

The bearded dragons could be worth up to $500 each, but the madagascan day geckos   were particularly rare and valuable, he said.

"The day gecko is very rare in New Zealand, certainly worth thousands of dollars.''

The theft has shocked staff at the zoo.

Reptile keeper Kara Goddard said she was "gutted'' at the theft and said her main concern was for the madagascan day geckos, which are listed on the Agriculture Ministry containment list for zoo species.

That means it is illegal for any person to keep or buy the lizard outside of a zoo.  

"They have got quite delicate skin and it is a concern to me that they have had some rough handling,'' Ms Goddard said. ``They can scratch pretty easily.  

"I feel violated, actually. We had only recently done up the enclosure and made it look good.''   Zoo director Stephen Standley said   the break-in was a terrible blow.

"We are all just devastated,'' he said. "We don't have a very big collection anyway. Thousands of people could come and see the day gecko while they were here, but now only a few will see them. In a way it's a waste of an animal.''  

There was also a health risk with the bearded dragon - which were carrying a mild strain of salmonella.
Mr Standley said the zoo had been broken into before, but this was the first time any animals had been taken.

He urged anyone with information to contact the zoo or the police.

The reptile enclosure has been secured and further changes are planned for the building to increase the security.

- © Fairfax NZ News