Protecting Near-threatened Species
Development of a Golden-tailed Gecko (Strophurus taenicauda) Relocation Program was triggered after Red Sand Ecology discovered a dense population of the near-threatened Golden-tailed gecko sheltering in stretch of decaying Brigalow regrowth in Yuleba, Queensland.
Trees that provided a habitat for a population of approximately 300 geckos were found to have been historically sprayed by the landowner with herbicide, which catalysed decay and in-turn created a significant amount of ideal habitat.
To minimise the impacts of potential habitat loss, a receiver site was identified approximately 25m north of the site that included suitable Golden-tailed gecko foraging resources. 163 Juvenile Brigalow trees with decorticating bark and approximately 66 individual geckoes were relocated following specifically designed methodology.
A habitat creation regime including ringbarking trees was implemented to supplement suitable features and alleviate short-term loss of habitat, allowing for potential time gaps between the stages of decay of relocated trees. A 12-month monitoring program confirmed successful establishment of relocated habitat, which continued to support a locally significant Golden-tailed Gecko community.
