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Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko Rediscovered After 34 Years in South Africa

Researchers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust have confirmed the existence of the elusive gecko, resolving decades of uncertainty about its status.

Image
One of the first Blyde Rondavel flat geckos to be seen since 1991 rests on the fingertips of Darren Pietersen, one of the researchers who found it in a rocky canyon

Overview

  • The Blyde Rondavel flat gecko, last seen in 1991, was rediscovered in Mpumalanga Province’s Blyde River Canyon by EWT researchers Darren Pietersen and John Davies.
  • The gecko was considered a 'lost' species and classified as data deficient by the IUCN due to the lack of sightings for over three decades.
  • Researchers located 20–30 specimens on a remote canyon outcrop, capturing and photographing seven individuals to document the rediscovery.
  • Tissue samples collected during the expedition will undergo genetic analysis to confirm the gecko as a distinct species and inform its conservation status.
  • This marks the fifth species rediscovery by the EWT in recent years, highlighting the importance of targeted efforts to address biodiversity knowledge gaps.