THE PRESS (Auckland, New Zealand) 13 April 06 Stolen reptiles recovered (Arwen Hann)
Three rare geckos feared to have been smuggled out of the country have been found alive and well close to home.
The two northland green geckos and one rough gecko allegedly stolen from Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch on Sunday were found by police at the home of a couple in Shirley yesterday morning and recovered by park staff.
The reptiles are safely back in their enclosure where staff say security is being upgraded in light of the theft. The head keeper of the park's New Zealand native species section, Tara Atkinson-Renton, said that while overall security was not an issue, the reptile enclosures were being made more secure.
"In the long term we will be looking at a major revamp because making them more secure has lessened the viewing possibilities and we want both to be good.
"At the moment though we are just very relieved and glad to have them back. We thought they would go overseas and didn't think we would see them again. I would like to thank the police for their quick action and for all the public who have helped."
Colin Hitchcock, from the Wildlife Enforcement Group, said many stolen endangered reptiles ended up in Germany of the Czech Republic, where New Zealand species were highly prized.
A 20-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman will appear in court today jointly charged with theft, burglary and being in possession of protected wildlife under the Wildlife Act.
Stolen reptiles recovered