Island reserve breeds first tuatara
25 Oct 2007
For the first time, tuatara are breeding on Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour.
Proof comes in the form of two baby tuatara, which emerged last week from eggs found on the island. The duo is the first known offspring of 54 Brothers Island tuatara transferred to the island nine years ago.
The eggs were taken from a buried nest on the island in May to be incubated at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Biological Sciences.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) and tuatara experts from Victoria University of Wellington had long suspected the island's "robust and healthy" tuatara were breeding. But because the reptiles lead such secretive lives, and bury their tiny eggs in the ground, they had no tangible evidence — until the chance discovery of eggs beside a track on the island.
"The island ranger found two eggs which appeared to have been scratched from a burrow by another tuatara," says DOC biodiversity programme manager Peter Simpson.
"We would have been surprised if they hadn't been breeding, but their buried nests are usually well concealed," says Mr Simpson.
The eggs were carefully monitored by Victoria University staff, who were thrilled to discover a fully formed, miniature tuatara had emerged from one egg within days of being discovered. The jubilation was doubled within a week when the second egg produced a healthy sibling.
"We've been waiting for this for nine years. It’s fantastic,' says School of Biological Sciences researcher Sue Keall.
"It's the biggest sign yet of the success of the translocation programme."
The tuatara will be returned as soon as possible to join others in the wild on Matiu/Somes Island, a DOC-managed historic and scientific reserve.
DOC has asked the public to suggest names for the tuatara through an online competition.
Further information:
www.doc.govt.nz
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