Police recover stolen geckos

A Northland Green Gecko, similar to one stolen from a wildlife park.

Police have recovered three native geckos stolen from a wildlife park and have arrested two people.

Customs officials were alerted yesterday and police began investigating after staff at Orana Wildlife Park near Christchurch found the geckos's enclosures had been tampered with and three animals were missing.

One was thought to have been taken on Sunday.

Widlife experts feared the two Northland Green Geckos and one Rough Gecko were destined for the international black market.

Tara Atkinson-Renton, the park's head keeper for native fauna, said today police had lifted fingerprints from the enclosures and were following a strong lead after a couple had been seen in the park on Sunday and again yesterday.

Police swooped on a suburban Shirley house today and recovered the geckos.

A man and woman were being interviewed by police and were likely to face charges.

Senior Sergeant Roy Appley, of Papanui police, said police were delighted to be able to hand over the geckos safely.

"We had a staff member from Orana Park with us to ensure they were handled correctly," Mr Appley said.

"Fast action led to the recovery of the geckos in good condition."

The geckos, classified as "threatened," were part of Orana's native breeding programme and staff feared for their survival.

Ms Atkinson-Renton said park staff were "overwhelmed" at the prompt result.

"We never thought we'd see them again, so the team are all just really relieved to have these precious animals back," she said.

Park staff had been "concerned and upset" by the thefts "and it's nice to see a positive result".

- NZPA