Project update: Nangur Spiny Skink

As 2025 came to a close, our Nangur Spiny Skink project  - in partnership with Queensland’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) – reached several important milestones, a testament to the power of science-led conservation and collaboration.

In December, ten Nangur Spiny Skinks were carefully translocated from Oakview National Park (NP) to Wratten’s NP to strengthen a newly establishing population. These individuals were strategically selected using genetic data to reduce inbreeding risk and maximise long-term resilience. Encouragingly, monitoring at Wratten’s has already revealed numerous juveniles from natural breeding earlier this year, a strong sign that the population is establishing successfully.

Back at Oakview, the first assisted dispersals were completed, with 35 skinks moved between genetic clusters to slow genetic decline. This work, grounded in cutting-edge population genetics, represents a critical intervention for one of Australia’s most genetically vulnerable reptiles.

The project also supports vital disease surveillance research with the University of Queensland, helping build an early-warning system against emerging fungal threats to reptiles.

In captivity, genetically planned pairings are in place for the upcoming breeding season, with several females already pregnant. Despite severe spring storms, all monitored populations persisted — a powerful reminder of the species’ resilience.

Learn more about the project