DoC investigating after 58 protected lizards found stuffed in lunchbox

The Department of Conservation has issued a public appeal calling on anyone who may know how the lunchbox - and lizards - got there, after the discovery was made. Photo / Supplied

Authorities have launched an investigation after 58 protected lizards were found stuffed inside a discarded lunchbox in Christchurch.

The Department of Conservation has issued a public appeal calling on anyone who may know how the lunchbox - and lizards - got there, after the discovery was made by two tourists this week.

The container was wrapped with duct tape and abandoned in an area in the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. The tourists found the lunchbox near the bamboo area of the park.

Out of the lizards found, only four were alive.

Sad news: 58 native lizards were found in a discarded lunchbox in Christchurch this week. We're appealing to the public...

Posted by DOC Threatened Species Ambassador on Monday, 14 August 2017

Staff are still working to identify the reptiles, but they are thought to include McCann's, spotted, grass skinks, Waitaha and jewelled geckos.

All species are fully protected and most of those are at risk or threatened.

DoC spokeswoman Nicola Toki, who is the threatened species ambassador, said: "These precious lizards were found in horrific conditions and we need the public's help to find out who put them there.

Photo / Supplied

"Someone might have seen the box being left at the Gardens or suspicious activity at possible lizard sites in the South Island,'' she said.

"They might have seen someone turning over debris or looking intently at one site for a long time.''

Can you help? Contact: 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or the Christchurch DoC office: (03) 341 9100.