Wellington ecosanctuary Zealandia has some new four-legged residents, the first transfer of lizards into the sanctuary and first new species there in five years.
Forty-five spotted skinks, many of which were female and pregnant, were released into the wildlife sanctuary at an official ceremony this morning.
(Simon Wong / 3 News)
The lizards, considered a threatened species, were captured on Matiu/Somes Island in the middle of Wellington Harbour and more are on their way over the coming days.
Zealandia manager of conservation Raewyn Empson says they're hopeful the lizards will thrive in their new home.
"We're feeling confident that they'll do well here because some of the resident skinks we've been monitoring are increasing in numbers despite the fact there's this whole suite of natural predators here like tuatara and kingfishers," she says.
The release had been around six months in the making, and included talks with iwi and the Department of Conservation, with Zealandia applying for a permit for 100 skinks.
(Simon Wong / 3 News)
"We think that's enough to give this population enough of a chance of establishing."
Ms Empson says she was surprised at the gender ratio of those which managed to be caught.
"We were hoping to catch a few more males. We were a bit surprised to find a so few males. The females being gravid, they were out sunning themselves on the tracks and could have been a bit slower, though some were fast enough to get away from us."
(Simon Wong / 3 News)
If the population settles in well, Zealandia hopes the transfer will be the first of several different species.
The lizard's range in the wild has diminished - they used to over the lower North Island and top of the South Island, so it is hoped safeguarding a population in the sanctuary will help boost their numbers.
The hope is Zealandia will be able to give back what it has received.
(Simon Wong / 3 News)
"We're bringing them into this environment where they should explode and then maybe we'll be able to support a transfer from here to somewhere else," Ms Empson says.
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