After more than thirty years of mystery, the Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko was finally found in South Africa. This small species, spotted for the first time in 1991 in the province of Mpumalanga, had become a sort of legend: for decades no one had had confirmation of its existence anymore. There were those who believed it extinct and those who hypothesized were only a case of exchange with other geckles.
An extreme shipment and a repaid wait
The discovery was possible thanks to a mission organized by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). The researchers Darren Pietersen and John Davies were transported by helicopter to an almost unreachable area of the Blyde River Canyon, the same place where the Geco had been sighted for the first time. Here, armed with patience and determination, they spent days looking for him between the cracks of the rocks and the dense vegetation.
After hours of night exploration, biologists were able to confirm the presence of about 20-30 specimens, managing to capture and photograph some of them. The preliminary analyzes and collected samples will now allow to officially validate the identity of the species, putting an end to over three decades of uncertainties.
A symbol of hidden biodiversity
The Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko is just one of the many “Lost species” that have been rediscovered in recent years. The EWT also brought to light a rare sand, a butterfly, another reptile and a frog, showing that world biodiversity still hides many secrets.
This discovery recalls how important it is not to focus only on the most charismatic species such as lions and elephants, but also on smaller and elusive ones, often forgotten and risk of silent disappearance. The discovery of the Geco is not only a scientific success, but also an invitation to look more attention to the natural wealth that surrounds us and that we risk losing.
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