Gecko populations, for instance, more than tripled inside the sanctuary compared with outside areas where predators remained present. Similarly, the number of skinks observed also increased in the absence of predators. There were fewer incidents of tail loss among geckos inside the sanctuary, suggesting reduced stress and predation.
This study shows sanctuaries can significantly benefit lizard species by protecting them from mammalian predators, says Grant.
“We were pretty blown away by these results, given the lizard species we monitored are considered to be relatively robust to predation by introduced mammals. Clearly their populations are being supressed and will respond where we can effectively remove predators,” he says.
Predator Free NZ has created a series of graphic illustrations to communicate the results of the research to a wider audience.
