In 2010, the Christmas Island blue-tailed skink was close to disappearing from the wild. Introduced predators had swept across Christmas Island, and a rapid rescue effort by Parks Australia staff saved just 66 individuals before the remaining wild population vanished. Those reptiles became the foundation of a captive breeding and conservation programme that continued for more than 15 years. In July 2026, the programme reached another milestone when 545 Christmas Island blue-tailed skinks were released into the wild on Horsburgh Island in the Cocos (Keeling) archipelago. The release marks the establishment of the species' third wild colony in the island group, offering it a larger habitat in which to build a population.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
