Men charged with taking protected geckos

A jewelled gecko. Photo / Supplied

Two German men have been charged with taking four "absolutely protected" jewelled geckos - worth more than $1000 each - from the Otago Peninsula.

The men, aged 56 and 47, appeared in Dunedin District Court yesterday where they were granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody by their consent until Friday, the Otago Daily Times reported.

They were arrested on Crimes Act charges of taking four jewelled geckos, and Crimes Act and Wildlife Act charges of hunting and unlawfully possessing "absolutely protected" wildlife.

A year ago another German, Manfred Bachmann, was sentenced to 15 weeks' jail after being caught with 16 jewelled geckos from Otago Peninsula.

Two other foreigners were charged with hunting and possession connected to the same incident and each were sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment.

Department of Conservation Coastal Otago area manager Robin Thomas said the four geckos were found in accommodation being used by the men in Dunedin after the geckos' forest home was put under surveillance last month.

"We're pleased with the results, but very disappointed that there are people who continue to try and exploit our native wildlife.

"These are precious animals and they need our protection," Mr Thomas said.

Investigations were continuing into whether anyone else was involved in the latest case, he said.

The geckos were stressed but in good health when found and were being kept in isolation until investigations were completed.

- NZPA