'Lost' South African Gecko Rediscovered After 34 Years in Remote Canyon.

In a remarkable rediscovery, a gecko species believed to be extinct—or possibly never valid—has been found again in a remote part of South Africa after 34 years. Researchers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust located the elusive Blyde Rondavel flat gecko during a recent expedition to the same canyon in Mpumalanga Province where it was first recorded in 1991.

The flat-bodied lizard, native to the cliffs of the Blyde River Canyon, had not been seen since its initial discovery, casting doubt over its status. For over three decades, scientists debated whether the two original specimens were a new species or just juvenile forms of another gecko. With no confirmed sightings in over 10 years, the species was listed as “lost” and categorized as “data deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning insufficient data existed to determine its conservation status.

Determined to resolve the mystery, researchers Darren Pietersen and John Davies mounted a return expedition to the canyon. Planning took two years, involving at least six permit applications. They were finally granted access and airlifted by helicopter to the same rocky outcrop where the gecko was first seen. The terrain, featuring steep cliffs over 100 meters high, is largely inaccessible by foot.

Camping for just three days atop the isolated outcrop, the team successfully spotted between 20 and 30 of the geckos, which grow to 8–9 centimeters in length. They managed to capture and photograph seven individuals, marking the first confirmed sighting since 1991.

“We were absolutely thrilled,” Pietersen said, expressing his satisfaction at ending the decades-long uncertainty. “Having a species listed as data deficient has always bothered me. I’ve always had a soft spot for the obscure ones that others overlook.”

Tissue samples collected during the expedition are expected to confirm the gecko’s distinct species status. This rediscovery marks the fifth such event for the Endangered Wildlife Trust in recent years. Previously, they have found species thought to be lost for decades, including a sand-dwelling mole last seen over 80 years ago, along with a butterfly, a lizard, and a frog.

According to the Trust, these rediscoveries highlight how much remains unknown in global biodiversity and emphasize the importance of continued exploration and conservation.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-flat-bodied-south-african-gecko.html

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