New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) has renewed its warning about rising wildlife smuggling after a man was sentenced to 14 months in prison for attempting to steal one of the New Zealand’s rarest geckos, the kākāriki karuheko, also known as the green gecko.
The smuggler, identified as 36-year-old David Patrick Neill, was arrested earlier this year after authorities intercepted him carrying a live gecko hidden inside a camera case. The reptile, believed to have been taken from the wild only hours earlier, is a nationally threatened species and protected under New Zealand’s Wildlife Act.
Neil was sentenced at the Manukau District Court by Judge David McNaughton, who emphasized that the poaching of native wildlife is a serious offense with significant ecological consequences. In court, McNaughton said the crime was “a deliberate and calculated act targeting an animal of high conservation value,” noting that the reptile could have been destined for the international black market.
Gecko on Black Market
Wildlife Crime Team Leader Dylan Swain, a confirmed spokesperson for DOC, said the case reflects a worrying global trend, that rare geckos from New Zealand fetch extraordinarily high prices overseas.
“These animals are incredibly valuable to traffickers,” Swain explained. “A single New Zealand green gecko can sell for several thousand dollars in parts of Europe or Asia. That financial incentive drives people to take risks and steal directly from the wild.”
Swain added that the poached gecko recovered in this case was extremely fortunate to be found alive, as many reptiles die during transport due to stress, dehydration, or improper handling.
Police and DOC officers conducted a joint operation after receiving intelligence that Neill had been moving suspiciously in areas known to host native gecko populations. The investigation revealed that the smuggler used photography equipment as a cover, hiding the reptile in a padded camera compartment.
“Smugglers are becoming more creative,” Swain said. “We’ve seen geckos hidden in socks, tubes, containers, and even book covers. It’s an ongoing challenge.”
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Black Market Driven New Zealand’s Rarest Geckos
Prosecutor Mike Bodie, who handled the case for the Crown, told the court that poaching of native reptiles is not an isolated incident. In recent years, New Zealand authorities have intercepted multiple attempts to steal geckos and skinks, many of which were destined for illegal reptile collectors overseas.
“These animals are slow-breeding, long-lived, and incredibly vulnerable to disturbance. Removing even a few individuals can destabilize local populations. This crime goes beyond theft—it disrupts ecosystems,” Bodie said.
He stated that the green gecko taken by Neill belonged to a population considered “at risk” due to habitat loss, predation by invasive mammals, and illegal collection.
DOC officials point out that this is not the first time traffickers have targeted New Zealand’s geckos. A major case in 2023 involved several green geckos that were recovered alive after a lengthy investigation and later returned to their native habitat.
More recently, DOC confirmed that a West Coast green gecko stolen years earlier was unexpectedly spotted alive in the wild in 2025, suggesting the animal had survived despite being trafficked. The incident highlighted both the resilience of the species and the severity of threats they face.
“These reptiles evolved in isolation,” Swain said. “They exist nowhere else on Earth. When one is taken, we’re not just losing an animal — we’re losing almost irreplaceable genetic and ecological value.”
Conservationists Call for Tougher Measures
The case has reignited debate over whether New Zealand should increase surveillance in national parks and reserves. Conservationists argue that the combination of high black-market demand and the animals’ small population size creates the perfect storm for exploitation.
DOC officials say they are working with international agencies, including Interpol wildlife crime units, to track smuggling networks believed to be operating across several continents. The illegal reptile trade often follows covert online marketplaces, encrypted messaging channels, and hobbyist reptile circles.
“Education is important, but enforcement is essential,” Swain noted. “If international buyers stop funding these crimes, demand will fall.”
The gecko rescued from Neill has since undergone health checks at a DOC facility. Veterinarians confirmed that the animal survived the attempted smuggling with minor stress-related symptoms but no lasting injuries.
After a monitoring period, DOC plans to return the gecko to the wild at the location where it was originally taken, following standard protocol for recovered wildlife. Officials say its safe recovery is a rare positive outcome in cases like this.
“The animal is doing well,” Swain said. “That’s a relief for us. Every gecko matters.”
New Zealand’s native geckos remain among the most trafficked animals in the country. With some species numbering only a few thousand individuals, the removal of even one can significantly affect long-term survival. DOC emphasizes that public vigilance—reporting suspicious behavior in conservation areas—is one of the strongest tools against poaching. (Sulung Prasetyo)
