Three rare mokomoko/skinks from a species not seen for 13 years have been flown from Nelson Lakes to Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo for safe keeping ahead of this year's beech mast.
The St Arnaud speckled skinks (Oligosoma aff. newmani 'St Arnaud lowland') were rediscovered during a survey in late 2025. Two females and one male were quickly relocated thanks to a collaboration between the Department of Conservation (DOC), Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Rārua, Taranaki Whānui, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, and Air New Zealand.
Monitoring of this species for ten years from the early 2000s showed a severe population decline. At the time, these skinks were regarded as an unusual population of a more-widespread species, but advanced genetic work revealed they are a unique species. Despite ongoing monitoring, none had been found since 2012, and there were fears the species may have died out.
These incredibly rare medium-sized skinks (reaching over 20 cm in length) are chocolate brown on top with cream-coloured flecking, with a striking belly which can be orange, pale pink, yellow or grey, and is heavily speckled with dark spots.
Dave Johnston, General Manager of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, says the Trust was pleased to lead the safe translocation of the mokomoko to Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, with the support of kaimahi, Kereopa Baker and Kelly Hayes. He acknowledged all those who took part in the mihi whakatau held on arrival.
"This kaupapa is an important contribution to the ongoing protection and conservation of our taonga species."
Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō acknowledges mana whenua, Wellington Zoo, the Department of Conservation, and all those involved for their collective efforts, manaakitanga, and commitment to the continued care and conservation of the mokomoko.
DOC Nelson Lakes biodiversity ranger Yolanda Shergold says it was important to get the skinks into human care for their own safety, ahead of the South Island beech mast this summer.
"When the beech trees seed en masse during a mast year, it means there's lots of food available for rodents and their numbers surge. But when the seeding stops, these rodents will look elsewhere for food, and unfortunately, lizards like the speckled skink will be on the menu.
"Now we've found these skinks again, thanks to a recent survey funded by the International Visitor Levy, moving these individuals quickly into a safe managed programme was the best thing we could do for the future of the species.
"A big thanks to Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo and Air New Zealand for the quick support to make the translocation happen."
Nic Dunn, Acting Director Wildlife at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, says it's a privilege to care for this critically endangered species.
"Te Nukuao is already home to several threatened native lizard species including Whitaker's skink, Wellington green gecko, and Duvaucel's gecko so welcoming these rare lowland speckled skinks to the Zoo is very exciting, both for our team and the future of this species.
"And they're doing well! Our specialist Ectotherm Team has created a space where the three skinks are thriving."
DOC's Yolanda Shergold says in the longer term, DOC intends to build a predator-proof fence around an area of the skink's habitat.
"This is a species that was once common but has been taken to the brink by introduced predators and habitat loss. We're working hard to secure its future for the long-term, by setting up a captive breeding programme and securing a safe site where these skinks can thrive in the wild.
