Rare lizard habitat protected

Date:  24 December 2019

DOC welcomes Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited’s announcement yesterday that they would stop further installation of the new Pringles lift after it was found the construction would disturb an extremely significant site for New Zealand’s native lizards.

The discovery of this lizard stronghold within Otago’s Cardrona Alpine Resort, is very exciting, says DOC’s Southern South Island Operations Director, Aaron Fleming.

“DOC commends the resort for their cooperation to ensure this wildlife refuge is protected. We’ve worked closely together to examine all possible options but, faced with a site of such significance for conservation, the decision was made on 19 December 2019, to decline their application for a Wildlife Act Authority.”

With hundreds of lizards across five protected species (including two threatened species) affected by this development, the impact of this development on lizards is unparalleled by any other Wildlife Act Authority applied for or granted nationally, Aaron says.

“Some of these lizards have the same threat classification as great spotted kiwi and whio/blue duck. While birds, at least, have the ability to fly from development, lizards do not.

“DOC will continue to work with Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited to determine how they can change their existing chairlift plans to ensure the area’s biodiversity is well protected.”

Wildlife Act 1953

It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to disturb, salvage, or kill protected wildlife. The purpose of the Wildlife Act is to ensure the protection and control of wildlife. See Wildlife Act.  

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