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Jewelled Gecko (Strophurus elderi)

The Jewelled Gecko is a small nocturnal gecko of arid and semi-arid Australia. It is restricted to mature spinifex on red soils, often within mallee woodland, so clearing, vehicle access, fire and changes to ground cover can remove both shelter and foraging habitat on development sites.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The Jewelled Gecko is an egg-laying species with documented adult activity from October to April. Egg-laying, incubation and hatchling timing are poorly documented for this species, so retain mature spinifex and treat suitable habitat as occupied throughout the year when planning clearing.

Reproductive mode: Oviparous, egg laying

Clutch size: Usually 1 to 2 eggs, with reported means of 1.85 to 2 eggs

Incubation: Not recorded

Size at hatching: Not recorded

Age at maturity: First breeding reported at 24 months

Nest or egg sites: Not recorded

Breeding frequency: Two clutches per year reported

Confirm timing locally using rainfall and temperature conditions, recent fire history, targeted nocturnal observations and any species management requirements before scheduling works.

  • Mating: No mating months are recorded for the Jewelled Gecko. Use a year-round precautionary window because animals may remain in spinifex refuges outside the documented October to April activity period.
  • Gravid females: The period when females carry eggs is not recorded for this species. Treat females as potentially present in mature spinifex throughout the year, including before the reported laying period.
  • Egg laying: A Strophurus care source, not specific to this species, reports peak laying from February to April, with possible laying in December and slowing from October to December. The Jewelled Gecko itself is confirmed to lay eggs, but its laying months are not directly recorded.
  • Incubation: Incubation length and the months when eggs remain in nests or soil are not recorded. Treat every month as possible where eggs or suspected egg sites are identified in or beneath spinifex.
  • Hatchlings: Hatching and juvenile emergence months are not recorded. No peak period can be assigned, so inspect retained spinifex and adjacent ground cover year-round where works may disturb shelter or soil.
  • Active period: The documented activity period is October to April, and the species is nocturnal. It shelters within or beneath spinifex during the day and forages in and around tussocks at night.
  • Winter inactivity: A winter inactivity period is not documented for the Jewelled Gecko. General Strophurus keeper guidance refers to brumation and reduced activity in cooler months, so use May to September as a precautionary period when animals may be less able to escape machinery.
  • Highest clearing risk: Treat clearing risk as year-round because mature spinifex provides documented refuge and foraging habitat, while mating, incubation and hatchling timing remain uncertain. Risk may increase from February to April if the general Strophurus laying pattern applies locally, but no species-specific peak is established.

Identification

The Jewelled Gecko is a small, dark gecko that is closely associated with spinifex. Identification should be confirmed from body pattern, size, habitat and, where possible, a clear photograph or expert examination.

The body is grey-black, dark brown, velvety grey or black, with scattered white spots. The spots may have dark edges and give the species its jewelled appearance. The species has a semi-prehensile tail used when climbing through spinifex.

Field colour: Grey-black, dark brown, velvety grey or black

Pattern: Scattered white spots, sometimes black-edged

Length: About 45 mm in the NSW field guide, and approximately 65 to 75 mm total length in the NSW listing determination

  • Look for a small gecko active at night on, or close to, spinifex tussocks.
  • A viscous, repellent fluid can be exuded from the dorsal surface of the tail when the animal is threatened.

Identification: Distinguishing features

The combination of a very small dark body, scattered pale spots, nocturnal activity and occurrence in mature spinifex on red sandy ground is useful for separating the Jewelled Gecko from other small arid geckos. The species should not be identified from habitat alone, particularly where several spinifex-associated reptiles occur.

  • Check the white spotted pattern across the body and the dark background colour.
  • Check for the semi-prehensile tail and the animal's use of spinifex tussocks.
  • Compare photographs with an experienced herpetologist where the size or pattern is unclear.

Identification: Sex and field signs

The supplied documents do not provide reliable external characters for separating males and females. They also do not describe diagnostic tracks, scats, calls, sloughs or nest signs.

  • Treat a live gecko, a photograph, or a confirmed observation in suitable spinifex habitat as the principal field evidence.
  • Do not rely on tracks or scats for detection or identification.
  • Record the location, date, time, habitat, fire history where known, photographs and handling details for any capture or relocation record.

Distribution: National range

The Jewelled Gecko has a broad arid-zone distribution, but its records are discontinuous and tied to spinifex habitat. The supplied documents do not provide a complete state-by-state range map or a national population estimate.

The species is distributed through arid regions from north-western Australia, through central Australia, to southern Australia. The supplied determination does not name every state or territory within this range, so project assessments should verify the current state occurrence layer before relying on a national range statement.

Broad Australian range: North-western Australia through central Australia to southern Australia

NSW distribution: South-western NSW, with records between Mildura and Menindee and between Menindee and Robinvale

  • In New South Wales, records are concentrated in the south-west of the state.
  • The documented NSW setting is the arid and semi-arid mallee and spinifex country of far south-western NSW.

Distribution: Known NSW strongholds

The NSW listing determination reports 20 records between Mildura and Menindee, including four records from Tarawi Nature Reserve. It reports a further 21 records between Menindee and Robinvale, including five records from Mallee Cliffs National Park.

Mildura to Menindee: 20 NSW records, including four from Tarawi Nature Reserve

Menindee to Robinvale: 21 NSW records, including five from Mallee Cliffs National Park

Yathong Nature Reserve: One recorded individual in 1982, with no additional records reported in the determination

Mungo National Park: A good population was recorded during a Bush Blitz survey

  • An additional record was made at Yathong Nature Reserve in 1982, but no further records from that location were reported in the determination.
  • A good population was recorded during a Bush Blitz survey in Mungo National Park.

Distribution: Population status

The supplied documents do not provide a national population estimate, density, generation length or quantified population trend. The fragmented NSW distribution is considered to increase the risk of local extinction from chance events.

  • Do not convert the number of records into an abundance estimate.
  • Treat apparently isolated records as potentially important until targeted surveys establish the local distribution and habitat extent.

Habitat: Habitat type

The Jewelled Gecko depends on spinifex habitat on red soils. Its habitat is usually part of mallee woodland and is most suitable where mature spinifex clumps have persisted without frequent fire or heavy grazing.

The species is restricted to Triodia spinifex habitat on red soils, usually in association with mallee woodlands. In far south-western NSW, suitable settings include mallee woodland with a spinifex understorey on red sandy dunes.

Vegetation: Triodia spinifex, commonly with mallee woodland

Soils and landform: Red soils and red sandy dunes

Climate setting: Arid to semi-arid regions

  • Map and retain mature spinifex within mallee woodland, including clumps between proposed work areas.
  • Assess red sandy ground and spinifex patches even where the proposed disturbance footprint contains sparse trees.

Habitat: Structural requirements

The species is entirely dependent on spinifex clumps for shelter and foraging sites. It is found within relatively large, mature clumps, particularly in areas that are not frequently burnt.

Important structure: Relatively large, mature spinifex clumps

Fire condition: Areas that are not frequently burnt

Associated cover: Mallee, adjacent shrubs, ground cover and red sandy substrate

  • Record the size, density, continuity and maturity of spinifex clumps during habitat assessment.
  • Record recent fire evidence, grazing pressure, trampling, weed invasion and the condition of adjacent shrubs and ground cover.
  • Retain habitat connections between spinifex clumps where practicable, because fragmentation can isolate local populations and increase exposure to fire and predation.

Habitat: Elevation and site limits

The supplied documents do not state an elevation range, thermal limit or maximum slope. Site assessments should therefore use the documented habitat features rather than an assumed elevation threshold.

Foraging habitat: Foraging sites

The Jewelled Gecko forages at night on and around spinifex clumps. The supplied species accounts do not identify particular prey taxa or a measured foraging distance.

Individuals can be seen foraging near or between spinifex clumps. The same mature clumps provide both foraging sites and shelter, so clearing isolated clumps can remove more than one habitat function.

Activity period: Nocturnal

Foraging location: On or near spinifex tussocks, including areas between clumps

Measured foraging range: Not reported in the supplied documents

  • Search the outer and inner parts of mature spinifex clumps, as well as the ground immediately between clumps, during nocturnal surveys.
  • Record whether animals are on tussocks, between tussocks or on open ground, and link each observation to the nearest clump.

Foraging habitat: Diet and prey

The supplied documents do not state the Jewelled Gecko's diet, prey species or prey density. Do not assign a species-specific prey list without further evidence.

  • Retain intact spinifex structure and the associated litter and ground layer when managing foraging habitat.
  • Avoid broad-spectrum pesticide use in retained habitat unless it is necessary, authorised and assessed for effects on reptiles and their prey.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

The supplied documents do not provide a breeding season, clutch size, incubation period, age at maturity or lifespan for the Jewelled Gecko. Until local information is available, mature spinifex should be treated as potential breeding and refuge habitat throughout the year.

No species-specific breeding observations are provided in the supplied documents. The documents do not describe mating, egg-laying sites, clutch size, incubation, hatchling habitat, maturity or lifespan.

Breeding season: Not reported

Clutch or litter size: Not reported

Gestation or incubation: Not reported

Age at maturity: Not reported

Lifespan: Not reported

  • Assume that suitable spinifex clumps may support breeding animals even when no eggs or juveniles are found.
  • Avoid disturbing retained clumps during any period when animals are present, because the absence of visible eggs does not demonstrate that breeding habitat is unused.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

The documented habitat requirements indicate that breeding habitat is likely to be associated with mature, relatively large spinifex clumps on red soils, especially where fire is infrequent and adjacent cover remains intact. This is a habitat-based management inference, not a documented description of nesting sites.

  • Retain mature spinifex clumps and surrounding ground cover within and beside the development footprint where possible.
  • Prevent unnecessary burning, slashing, grading, trampling and stock access in retained spinifex.
  • Have a suitably experienced herpetologist assess any suspected eggs, hatchlings or breeding aggregation before works continue.

Sheltering habitat: Primary refuge

Spinifex clumps are the primary documented refuge for the Jewelled Gecko. The species uses its semi-prehensile tail to climb tussocks and relies on mature clumps for shelter and refuge from predators.

The species is entirely dependent on spinifex clumps for shelter and foraging. In the far south-western NSW field guide, it is described as using its semi-prehensile tail to climb spinifex tussocks for shelter and refuge from predators.

Refuge type: Mature spinifex tussocks and clumps

Clump condition: Relatively large and mature, with no frequent burning

Other refuges: Specific use of burrows, hollows, logs or dens is not reported

  • Retain mature spinifex clumps, including clumps outside the direct construction footprint that may be used for movement between retained patches.
  • Inspect clump bases and adjacent ground cover during targeted searches, without unnecessarily dismantling or burning the tussocks.
  • Control vehicle and machinery access around retained clumps to prevent crushing and soil compaction.

Sheltering habitat: Refuge continuity

Shrubs and ground cover adjacent to spinifex provide shelter for animals moving between clumps. Grazing and trampling can reduce this cover, alter soil structure and increase exposure to predators.

  • Maintain connected patches of spinifex and adjacent shrubs where practicable.
  • Keep livestock, goats and heavy machinery away from retained habitat during and after construction where access would damage tussocks or ground cover.
  • Record damaged, burnt, grazed and intact clumps separately during pre-clearance surveys.

Threats: Clearing and construction

The main documented risks are loss and degradation of spinifex habitat, altered fire regimes, grazing and trampling, fragmentation, and predation by feral cats and foxes. These risks can act together on small, isolated populations.

Clearing red-soil spinifex and mallee removes the habitat on which the species depends for both shelter and foraging. Fragmentation reduces the amount of habitat, increases the effect of fire and grazing on small patches, and can restrict movement between populations.

  • Avoid clearing mature spinifex clumps where practicable, including clumps between the main work area and access tracks.
  • Fence and clearly mark retained habitat before earthworks, vehicle movement and laydown commence.
  • Use a qualified fauna ecologist or spotter catcher to inspect suitable habitat and manage any captures in accordance with the project approval and NSW requirements.

Threats: Fire and ground disturbance

Frequent or poorly distributed burning reduces mature spinifex habitat and can limit recolonisation of burnt areas. Trampling, soil disturbance and grazing reduce spinifex density and adjacent cover and can facilitate weed invasion.

  • Do not burn retained habitat as a routine clearance method.
  • Plan fire controls to prevent escaped fire entering mature spinifex patches.
  • Minimise grading, soil compaction, trenching and repeated vehicle movements across red sandy habitat.
  • Manage weeds and total grazing pressure so spinifex and adjacent ground cover can regenerate.

Threats: Predators and fragmentation

Feral cats and European Red Foxes include reptiles in their diets, although the specific level of predation on the Jewelled Gecko is not known. The species' fragmented distribution increases the risk that local populations will be lost through chance events.

  • Do not create new food, shelter or access opportunities for feral cats and foxes around work compounds.
  • Keep waste, food and water infrastructure managed so it does not attract pest predators.
  • Maintain links between suitable spinifex patches where possible and record all habitat retained or lost.

Threats: Other threats

The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific disease threat, road mortality rate or hydrology requirement. Roads and changes to drainage may still damage or fragment red-soil spinifex habitat, so these effects should be assessed where they occur on a project.

  • Assess road alignments, drainage works, borrow areas and water points for direct loss, soil disturbance and altered fire or grazing access.
  • Record any road-killed or injured individuals and report them through the project fauna incident process.
  • Do not assume that a site is unsuitable because no animals were detected during a single survey.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat assessment

Survey Jewelled Geckos in their known habitat, particularly mature spinifex on red sandy soils associated with mallee woodland. The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific survey guideline with prescribed nights, hours, transect lengths or trap effort, so the project ecologist must set defensible effort for the proposal area and record the basis for it.

Map spinifex clumps, red sandy dunes and mallee woodland before selecting survey sites.

Give particular attention to relatively large, mature spinifex clumps because the species relies on them for shelter and foraging.

Record areas that have been frequently burnt, heavily grazed, cleared, fragmented or invaded by weeds, as these conditions can reduce habitat quality.

  • Walk the full disturbance footprint and nearby retained habitat where access is safe.
  • Record the location, size and condition of spinifex clumps, links between clumps, fallen timber, leaf litter and other ground cover.

Survey methodology: 2. Nocturnal searches

Undertake nocturnal searches because the Jewelled Gecko is nocturnal and may forage near or between spinifex clumps.

Use a combination of careful spotlighting and slow active searches through suitable spinifex habitat, where this can be done without damaging clumps.

Search trunks, branches and spinifex tussocks at close range, while avoiding unnecessary handling or trampling.

  • Conduct searches during suitable warm, calm conditions when reptiles are likely to be active, and document temperature, wind, rain, start and finish times and observer effort.
  • Repeat searches where weather, access or habitat condition is likely to have reduced detection.
  • Do not treat a failure to detect the species as evidence of absence where mature spinifex habitat remains present.

Survey methodology: 3. Detection and identification

Confirm records using clear photographs and the species' diagnostic appearance: a small grey or black gecko with scattered white spots, described as approximately 45 mm long in the NSW pocket guide and approximately 65 to 75 mm total length in the NSW determination.

Look for the semi-prehensile tail used for climbing spinifex tussocks and record whether the animal was in, beside or moving between clumps.

Avoid confusing the Jewelled Gecko with other small geckos, and have uncertain records checked by a suitably experienced herpetologist.

  • Record the scientific name, date, time, precise location, habitat, weather, observer, search method and photographs for every detection.
  • Note whether the animal was inside a mature clump, on the ground, or moving between clumps.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Prepare a survey design that covers all suitable spinifex and mallee habitat in the disturbance footprint, includes nearby retained habitat where it may receive relocated animals, and states the number of observers, search hours, nights, area searched and weather conditions.
  • Use additional survey effort where habitat is fragmented, recently burnt, grazed, weed affected or difficult to search safely.
  • Have the ecologist explain any limitations caused by access, season, weather, fire history or visibility.
  • Submit confirmed records and appropriate negative survey information to the relevant state wildlife database, including the NSW BioNet Atlas where the work is in New South Wales.
  • Retain survey data, photographs, spatial files and search tracks with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoid clearing Jewelled Gecko habitat wherever practicable. The main planning focus is retaining mature spinifex, the mallee and sandy soil structure that support it, while keeping retained habitat connected and protected from grazing, fire and machinery.

Redesign the footprint to retain spinifex on red sandy dunes, mature spinifex clumps and adjacent mallee woodland.

Retain links between spinifex clumps and larger intact patches because fragmentation can isolate local populations and reduce movement between them.

Avoid clearing or damaging spinifex that has not been frequently burnt, as the species is associated with mature clumps in areas with less frequent fire.

  • Keep machinery, access tracks, laydown areas, spoil and worker movements out of retained spinifex and mallee habitat.
  • Do not remove fallen timber, leaf litter or shrubs from retained mallee and spinifex areas unless authorised by the fauna management plan.
  • Prevent stock and other grazing animals from entering retained habitat during and after the works.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and planning

Confirm the current legal status before works begin. The supplied project information records the species as vulnerable in New South Wales and not listed under the EPBC Act.

Obtain any required state threatened-species, biodiversity, land-clearing or wildlife handling approvals before survey, capture, clearing or relocation activities.

An EPBC referral is not indicated by the supplied listing information for this species, but the project officer must check the current national list and the full project impacts because other matters may still trigger the Act.

  • Engage the relevant state agency if the species is detected outside the area covered by an existing approval.
  • Include the species, its habitat, proposed controls, authorised handlers, relocation arrangements and stop-work triggers in the fauna management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

Complete a pre-clearance survey immediately before disturbance, with the timing and effort justified by the project ecologist.

Mark mature spinifex, red sandy habitat, retained mallee, movement links and exclusion areas in the field and on construction plans.

Install exclusion fencing where it can prevent machinery and personnel entering retained habitat, and inspect the fencing regularly.

  • Brief all workers and operators on the species' appearance, habitat, reporting pathway and stop-work requirements.
  • Stage clearing so that retained habitat remains available and connected while each work area is checked and released.
  • Confirm that an authorised fauna spotter catcher, suitable holding equipment, a wildlife carer or veterinarian and the project contact are available before clearing starts.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls

Use close supervision during any work that can remove or damage spinifex, mallee or sandy ground habitat. The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop machinery and must work within the approved fauna management plan.

Inspect exclusion fencing, retained habitat and the active work area at the start of each shift.

Keep machinery within the approved clearing limits and prevent stock, vehicles and workers from entering retained spinifex and mallee.

Clear progressively rather than opening the full disturbance area at once, and keep the active area under direct fauna supervision.

  • Hold a daily pre-start briefing covering the Jewelled Gecko, suitable habitat, contact details and stop-work triggers.
  • Maintain an accessible escape route towards retained, connected spinifex habitat where this is consistent with the approved clearing method.
  • Stop work if fencing fails, habitat outside the approved footprint is damaged, an animal is found, or the fauna spotter catcher cannot safely supervise the activity.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna spotter catcher and machinery

Position the fauna spotter catcher where the active clearing edge, machinery attachments and likely escape routes can be seen.

Use slow, staged vegetation removal so the spotter catcher can inspect spinifex clumps and ground cover before machinery enters each area.

Do not allow an operator to continue while the spotter catcher is investigating a possible animal, injured fauna or an unapproved habitat feature.

  • Give the fauna spotter catcher clear radio or visual communication with every operator.
  • Keep people and machinery away from any animal until the authorised handler has assessed it.
  • Use only trained and authorised personnel for capture, handling and relocation.

During habitat disturbance: If a Jewelled Gecko is found

Stop the relevant activity and establish a quiet exclusion zone around the animal and its spinifex clump.

Allow the animal to move into nearby retained habitat where safe and where this is permitted by the fauna management plan.

If capture is necessary, use a trained and authorised handler and minimise restraint, handling time, heat exposure and transport.

  • Do not handle the animal solely for inspection or photography.
  • Record the species, location, condition, habitat feature, action taken, release location and names of the people involved.
  • Do not release an animal into isolated, recently burnt, heavily grazed or otherwise unsuitable habitat.
  • Send an injured animal to an appropriate veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer as soon as practicable.
  • Escalate uncertain identification or repeated detections to the project ecologist and relevant wildlife authority.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and incidents

Treat mature spinifex clumps, adjacent shrubs, leaf litter, fallen timber and sandy soil as habitat features even where the animal is not visible.

Do not stockpile cleared spinifex or soil against retained clumps, and do not bury or compact retained sandy habitat.

Use a stop-work trigger for unexpected habitat clearing, fire, substantial soil disturbance, injury or mortality, or repeated fauna detections.

  • Inspect the area after each clearing shift for animals, tracks, injured fauna and damaged exclusion controls.
  • Report incidents, near misses, mortalities, relocations and control failures to the environmental manager on the same day.
  • Notify the relevant regulator where an approval, permit or fauna management plan requires notification.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work must confirm that no fauna remains at risk and that retained habitat has not been damaged. Continue controls while construction activity could affect spinifex, mallee or movement between habitat patches.

Complete a systematic inspection of the cleared area and the clearing edge after each stage, focusing on remaining spinifex, ground cover and sheltered areas.

Check retained clumps and adjacent mallee for machinery damage, soil compaction, trampling, weed spread and breaks in connectivity.

Keep any fauna exclusion fencing in place until the environmental manager confirms that the risk from the relevant activity has ended.

  • Recheck areas where a Jewelled Gecko was detected, captured, relocated or injured.
  • Document the date, observers, area checked, findings, photographs and any corrective action.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained spinifex and mallee for condition, fire, grazing, weeds, erosion and loss of links between clumps.

Use repeat nocturnal searches where the approval, risk assessment or project ecologist identifies a need for post-clearance confirmation.

Compare monitoring results with the pre-clearing habitat map and all fauna records.

  • Submit confirmed records, mortality records and relevant monitoring results to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Report non-compliance, unexpected impacts and mitigation failures through the project's approval and incident reporting process.
  • Retain all capture, relocation, veterinary, survey and monitoring records for the period required by the approval.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and corrective action

Apply any biodiversity offset, rehabilitation or threatened-species condition required by the approval.

If retained habitat has been damaged, stop the damaging activity, stabilise the area and implement corrective rehabilitation advised by the project ecologist.

Review the fauna management plan if detections, mortality, fire or habitat damage show that the controls are not protecting the species.

  • Do not count an offset as a substitute for avoiding and minimising direct damage to occupied or suitable spinifex habitat.
  • Record the area, condition and management actions for any offset or conservation area used for the project.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should restore the habitat structure on which the Jewelled Gecko depends, rather than only replacing a general native vegetation cover. Prioritise spinifex on red sandy soils, associated mallee, intact ground cover and links between retained patches.

Re-establish spinifex in suitable red sandy areas and retain or restore associated mallee woodland.

Use locally appropriate native plant material and methods approved by the project ecologist, because the supplied documents do not identify a suitable planting species list beyond spinifex and mallee habitat.

Replace or retain fallen timber, leaf litter and low shrubs where these features can provide shelter or cover between spinifex clumps.

  • Prevent vehicle access, grazing and trampling while rehabilitated spinifex establishes.
  • Avoid compacting, grading or unnecessarily disturbing sandy soils needed for spinifex regeneration.
  • Maintain connected strips or patches between retained and rehabilitated spinifex rather than creating isolated clumps.

Rehabilitation actions: Fire, weeds and predators

Develop a fire regime that avoids frequent or non-patchy burning of Jewelled Gecko habitat and allows mature spinifex clumps to develop.

Control weeds and prevent weed invasion where soil disturbance or grazing has reduced ground cover.

Manage feral cats and foxes in accordance with approved site and regional programs because both species prey on reptiles and may threaten the Jewelled Gecko.

  • Record fire history, fire extent and the condition of spinifex clumps during rehabilitation inspections.
  • Control grazing pressure from cattle, goats, sheep and other herbivores so spinifex, shrubs and ground cover can regenerate.
  • Do not burn rehabilitation areas solely to reduce spinifex density without assessing the effect on the species' shelter and foraging habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor the cover, density and maturity of spinifex, the condition of associated mallee, soil stability, weed cover, grazing impacts and connectivity with retained habitat.

Use nocturnal searches near and between spinifex clumps where detection monitoring is required, and apply the same documented method over time.

Set success measures before rehabilitation begins, including survival or establishment of spinifex, protection from grazing and fire, absence of unacceptable weed invasion, and retention of links between habitat patches.

  • Inspect rehabilitation after disturbance, after major rainfall, after fire and at the intervals required by the approval or rehabilitation plan.
  • Investigate declining spinifex, erosion, weed spread, grazing or repeated predator activity and implement corrective action.
  • Report rehabilitation results and any Jewelled Gecko detections to the project environmental manager and the relevant state wildlife database.

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