WELLINGTON: Two jewelled geckos that were kidnapped and smuggled across the world are finally home. It what is a first for New Zealand, the poached native wildlife were returned to New Zealand alive. The geckos were cared for at Cologne Zoo after German authorities seized the reptiles from a smuggler in December 2013.
Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner said because the geckos were exposed to potential biosecurity threats overseas they would never return to the wild.The geckos were recovering at Wellington Zoo while conservation staff decided where the geckos would be permanently settled.
“Wellington Zoo has vast experience in caring for reptiles and is the best place for the jewelled geckos to be quarantined while they settle back into their natural climate and recover.”The return of the geckos sent a message that wildlife crime would not be tolerated, Wagner said.
“For many New Zealanders, geckos are considered a taonga or treasure so we are delighted that the hard work of New Zealand and German authorities has resulted in their return.”Gecko smuggling was a serious challenge for authorities, she said.All species of green gecko, including jewelled geckos, were in decline due to introduced predators and poaching.
