Skink move 'monumental'

The reintroduction of critically endangered lizards to the Alexandra basin has been hailed as a "monumental" conservation step.

On Saturday, 12 captive-bred Otago skinks were released into a predator-proof enclosure at the Aldinga Conservation Area near Alexandra.

The Central Otago Ecological Trust in partnership with the Department of Conservation spent four years on the project.

Otago skink disappeared from the wild in the 1970s, largely because of predation by introduced mammals.

Before the 200m2 Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary was opened, a crowd of about 70 heard a karakia (prayer) and mihi whakatau (welcoming speech) by DOC Otago pou kura taiao (indigenous Conservation ethics manager) Matt Ellison and Hinerangi Heath.

Trust chairman Grant Norbury said that without intervention the species would probably be gone from the wild within 20 years.

The 2m-high stainless steel mesh fence cost $80,000 and is designed to keep out predators. The trust intends to expand the habitat, if the reintroduction is successful and the lizards thrive. Wild skink could also be introduced to improve the genetic base of the reintroduced population, Mr Norbury said.

"This is a monumental step in releasing skinks into the wild, not just in Central Otago but in New Zealand."

The trust was formed in 2005 and raised funds for the enclosure, built a 14ha rabbit-proof fence nearby, cleared vegetation, set traps and planted native flora.

DOC grand and Otago skink recovery programme manager Andy Hutcheon said the lizards once roamed to the east coast until about 40 years ago.

john.edens@stl.co.nz