Your Contribution Fuels Our Reporting
From issues surrounding reproductive rights to climate change and the influence of major tech companies, The Independent is committed to delivering real-time coverage of significant stories as they unfold. Whether it involves scrutinizing the financial activities of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump political action committee or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which highlights the struggle of American women advocating for reproductive rights, we understand the importance of distinguishing facts from narratives. During this pivotal time in U.S. history, having reporters on-site is essential. Your contributions enable us to continue sending journalists to cover both sides of these critical issues. The Independent has earned the trust of readers from all political backgrounds. Unlike many reputable news organizations, we have chosen not to impose paywalls that restrict access to our reporting and analysis. We firmly believe that high-quality journalism should be accessible to everyone, with funding provided by those who are able to support it. Your generosity truly makes a significant impact.
Rediscovery of a Long-Lost Gecko Species
A species of gecko, believed to have been extinct for over 30 years, has been found again in a secluded canyon in South Africa. Researchers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) have successfully located the rare Blyde Rondavel flat gecko, which was first discovered in 1991 within the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga Province, but had not been observed since. The fate of this gecko species has been a topic of speculation for years, with some scientists doubting whether the two male specimens initially identified were not juvenile examples of a different species, further fueling uncertainty about its status. Determined to clarify this mystery, EWT researchers Darren Pietersen and John Davies undertook a mission in April to the same canyon. Their efforts culminated in the confirmation of the gecko as a unique species.
A Species Considered Lost
Due to the lack of sightings for over a decade, the Blyde Rondavel gecko was classified as a “lost” species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, which assesses threatened species, categorized it as data deficient, meaning there was insufficient information to determine its extinction status. “It frustrates me to have a species labeled as data deficient,” remarked Dr. Pietersen. “I have always been drawn to species that are less studied because they are elusive or obscure.” Planning for the expedition took two years and involved submitting multiple applications for research permits, according to Dr. Pietersen. The researchers were dropped off on top of one of the canyon’s distinctive circular rocky formations, characterized by steep cliffs exceeding 100 meters in height, where the geckos were believed to reside. This location was the same rocky outcrop where the geckos had been discovered in 1991. With only three days allocated for their camping expedition on the outcrop, the team was tasked with locating the geckos, which reach a length of approximately 8 to 9 centimeters as adults.
A Thrilling Discovery
“When we finally located them, our excitement was beyond measure,” Dr. Pietersen recounted. The team spotted between 20 to 30 geckos and successfully captured and photographed seven specimens, offering the world a rare glimpse of this long-lost species after three decades. The Endangered Wildlife Trust announced that the data gathered, including vital tissue samples, will help verify that it is indeed a distinct species. This gecko marks the fifth rediscovery of an animal by the trust in recent years. In 2021, a mole residing in sand dunes was found after being absent for over 80 years, while a butterfly, a lizard, and a frog species have also been recently located after being lost to conservationists for many years. These rediscoveries highlight the vast knowledge yet to be uncovered about the planet’s biodiversity, as emphasized by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
