There is renewed hope for one of Australia’s rarest reptiles, the critically endangered Nangur Spiny Skink.
Over recent months, conservation teams working across southeast Queensland have achieved several significant milestones in the fight to save this remarkable species from extinction. Most excitingly, three remaining wild Nangur Spiny Skinks, two adults and a juvenile, were located during intensive surveys at Nangur National Park and safely relocated into a protected managed release area designed to give the species its best chance of survival.
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This tiny skink, found nowhere else on Earth, has suffered dramatic population declines in recent years due to habitat threats, invasive species, and environmental pressures. The discovery of the juvenile is particularly encouraging, providing evidence that breeding is still occurring in the wild.
Alongside this important field work, the captive breeding program continues to go from strength to strength. In January alone, 15 healthy baby skinks were born, including nine from the Nangur area population and six from carefully managed trial population crosses designed to improve long-term genetic resilience.
The team also completed six days of intensive monitoring surveys across more than 30 hectares of suitable habitat at Nangur National Park. While no additional wild subpopulations were detected, the work has helped refine future recovery planning and identify potential reintroduction sites.
Meanwhile, exciting progress continues at Wratten’s National Park, where a new insurance population is being established. Cameras monitoring the site recently captured numerous females giving birth, a promising sign that this carefully managed population is beginning to establish and grow.
Behind the scenes, conservationists are also:
Managing invasive weeds and feral animals across all three recovery sites
Expanding genetic management programs to maximise the species’ long-term health
Preparing a second specialised captive breeding facility in southeast Queensland
Installing advanced monitoring systems to reduce disturbance while tracking released animals in real time
While the species remains critically endangered, these recent outcomes demonstrate that recovery is possible and that with continued support, extinction can still be prevented.
Photo: A juvenile relocated to Nangur National Park. (DETSI)
Video: An adult male relocated to Nangur National Park. (DETSI)
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