Rare barking geckos and Bungle Bungle sliders face extinction threat

Two of Australia's least-studied reptile species, the Pilbara barking gecko and the Bungle Bungle robust slider, are facing a serious threat of extinction, primarily driven by the rapidly warming climate. Researchers from Monash University are advocating for these species to be officially classified as endangered, citing a noticeable decline in their sightings in the wild.

Robert Audcent, a herpetology researcher at Monash University, led the first-of-its-kind study on the Pilbara barking gecko. This species, named for the dog-like bark it emits when threatened, prefers higher altitudes and cooler temperatures found in the Hamersley Range, approximately 1,400 kilometers north of Perth. However, its habitat is increasingly vulnerable. "There is a potential it could go extinct under a warming scenario, which is very likely given the trajectories for climate change," Mr. Audcent stated. As the climate warms, the geckos may attempt to move to higher elevations for cooler conditions, but this dispersal could lead to stress, increased susceptibility to disease, and potential local or widespread population declines.

Researchers had to employ specialized techniques, such as spotlighting at night to detect the geckos' reflective eyes, to locate these elusive creatures. Before the study, only 55 confirmed sightings of the Pilbara barking gecko had been recorded, highlighting its rarity. Compounding the climate threat, the expanding mining operations in the Pilbara region also pose a significant risk to the geckos' habitat.

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There is a potential it could go extinct under a warming scenario, which is very likely given the trajectories for climate change.

Jules Farquhar, a senior research officer at Monash University, emphasized the need for mining companies to be aware of the geckos' distribution and to conduct thorough ecological surveys before commencing operations. "One thing they can do to be sympathetic of the geckos is to know where they do and don't occur and employ ecologists and experts on the species to do thorough surveys before they are deciding where to mine," he advised.

The Bungle Bungle robust slider, found exclusively in Purnululu National Park, is also highly vulnerable due to its restricted habitat. Prior to the recent research, only three sightings of this species had been documented. The study identified 21 new individuals across eight sites, confirming its rarity and exclusive range within the Bungle Bungle ranges of Western Australia's northwest. Mr. Farquhar noted that the species appears to be affected by fire, a common occurrence in the region.

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One thing they can do to be sympathetic of the geckos is to know where they do and don't occur and employ ecologists and experts on the species to do thorough surveys before they are deciding where to mine.