DES releases critically endangered Nangur spiny skinks at Gympie, Qld

A critically endangered skink is being rescued from the brink of extinction in a joint effort by ecologists, conservation officers and Qld park rangers. Watch the video:

A critically endangered skink is being rescued from the brink of extinction on the back of a joint effort by ecologists, conservation officers and Queensland park rangers.

The Department of Environment has released 14 of the Nangur spiny skinks into the wild as part of its recovery program to help keep the lizards from vanishing into the history books.

Less than 1000 of the skins remain in the wild, a DES media release said.

There have been 30 bred in captivity since January 2020.

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Close-up view of Nangur spiny skink (Nangura spinosa) at the release site west of Gympie. Image taken: 05/12/2023 | DIGITAL ORIGINAL

It was the second group of skinks released into their natural habitat west of Gympie.

The first occurred in January, 2023, with six released and surviving, and two having babies.

The 3600sq m release site established by the department has been fitted out with the artificial burrows, cameras and barriers for protection against predators.

It was chosen due to its reduced risk of bushfires.

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View of ecologist Dan Ferguson and QPWS ranger Lindsay Wessling and a Nangur spiny skink (Nangura spinosa) at the release site. Image taken: 05/12/2023 | DIGITAL ORIGINAL

DES senior ecologist Daniel Ferguson said the lizards were settling in, cleaning out their burrows and basking through the day.

“Both releases have gone so well that we’re expecting some of the females to give birth to young early next year,” he said.

“We will continue monitoring the skinks to study their behaviour and survival.”

Originally published as DES releases critically endangered Nangur spiny skinks at Gympie, Qld