Endangered lizards rescued from oil spill bred in captivity for the 1x time

[FfFfFfFF 58,120]

Endangered reptiles rescued from Mauritian islands that were contaminated by a devastating oil spill have bred successfully in captivity for the first time, raising hopes that populations can be restored to the wild.

Bojer’s skink – a small, shiny reptile only found on tiny islets off Mauritius – has been bred by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust scientists at Jersey zoo. Two other imperilled species, the lesser night gecko and Bouton’s skink, have also been brought to the zoo, with the geckos breeding successfully as well.

The islands and reefs off Mauritius were contaminated by a Japanese carrier, MV Wakashio, which ran aground last July and spilled 1,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the sea.

The accident threatened species that were once found across Mauritius – where the dodo once lived – but now only survive on islets.

The lesser night gecko was believed to be extinct after disappearing from the main island until it was discovered on these islands in recent decades. The small populations of these geckos and the Bojer’s and Bouton’s skinks are acutely vulnerable to extreme weather and accidents caused by humans, such as fires.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/23/jersey-becomes-ark-for-endangered-lizards-rescued-from-oil-spill

[GagaSine 7,464]

What a little cutie. The destruction we wreak on the environment is such a tragedy.