In the upcoming May edition of Exotics Keeper Magazine, we look at Lazarus species – those who were considered extinct, only to be discovered again, usually under serendipitous circumstances, such as our beloved crested geckos. 

Now, another gecko has made a grand re-emergence, thanks to the determination of herpetologist Ben Barr and his team in New Zealand.

On the South Island of New Zealand is Nelson Lakes National Park. It is here that the search began for the Cupola gecko – which had not been physically sighted since 2007. The only other sighting was the first – all the way back in 1968, which led to its initial description. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) had labelled this species as ‘data deficient’.

The Cupola gecko gets its name from the area it is found, known as Cupola Hut. It belongs to the genus known as Mokopirirakau, meaning ‘forest gecko’ in Māori. This genus has only four officially described species so far, no doubt with this Cupola ghost gecko soon to follow.

Herpetologist Ben Barr with a male Cupola gecko that he nicknamed BGOAT (Best Gecko Of All Time).

The Cupola gecko differs from the others in its genus by its dark V-shape makings over its lichen-grey body, as well as having a more V-shaped head with a shorter snout.

Not only is Ben pictured here with one individual – the first in more than a decade – his 5-strong team managed to find and catch 4 individuals. He described the experience ‘as euphoric as having a baby’ due to the buildup to the moment he finally saw the gecko up close.

This is the result of endless stone-turning during 12 days spread over 2 years. In 2019 their efforts were unsuccessful, apart from some scat they found in a rock crevice, followed by a flash of a grey gecko that unfortunately escaped – but not without dropping its tail to at least provide material for genetic analyses. Until now, due to the rarity of the geckos and the fact that nobody had caught one in-hand before, the team weren’t even 100% sure what they were looking for.

The “Okarito” gecko is another in the same genus that was also rediscovered after a prolonged absence, last year.

Ben’s colleague Marieke Lettink was the first to catch a Cupola – a juvenile female they nicknamed ‘Clingaling’.

Ben was determined to catch one for himself, and after more tense rock-turning, he finally found his prize – 5 miles from the location of the first.

Later, making the most of the early evening, they happened upon another gecko in a patch of the evening sunlight. This was a gravid female that they fondly called Whetū Ahiahi, which means evening star.

The gravid female brings more optimism for the species’ persistence in the area.

Ben and his team’s efforts were largely funded by the New Zealand DOC, which has funds set aside specifically for endangered and data deficient species. His efforts to this point had cost approximately £7,500. This story is an example of the benefits that prioritising these funds can have when it comes to data deficient species. Now, work can be done to continue scouting for individuals to get an understanding of the population size in the area.

Additionally, genetic analyses can be run on another gecko Barr found that may be yet another undiscovered species.

As a high proportion of New Zealand’s geckos and skinks are endangered and/or data deficient, this brings some optimism in the face of “ghost” species that are thought extinct or in decline.