Indian Pacific geckos invading northern Sydney

[Flaviemys purvisi]

Joanne Vella, Hornsby Advocate
May 2, 2018


THE gecko has to go.

The Indian Pacific species, which normally lives in parts of South East Asia and India, has invaded northern Sydney over the past 12 months after being smuggled into container ships and tourists’ luggage.

Ku-ring-Gai Council said the species was not harmful to humans but encroached on native geckos’ habitats and competed with them for food.

Leanne Sivakumar and her son Ravindra search a pot plant for any signs of an Indo Pacific Gecko. Picture: John Appleyard

The council is urging residents to keep an eye out for the pests after more sightings across the region. The most recent sighting was in Northbridge and the northern beaches.

The reptile, also known as garnaut’s house gecko, is similar in appearance to another pest species, the Asia house gecko.

The best way to recognise the introduced geckos was the spines along their tails and claws on their inner toes, which native species do not have.

Residents are encouraged to report potential sightings to the NSW Primary Industries Department.

Living near the Lane Cove National Park, Lindfield resident Leanne Sivakumar is used to spotting wildlife in her backyard.

“We’ve had two possums and we reported both of them to WIRES and they’re very efficient with doing that,’’ she said.

“My son’s quite interested in the kookaburras and the bush turkeys and different birds.’’

The Indian gecko has spines along their tails.

She said the family’s two cats could help deter invaders and while she had not yet spotted the Indian gecko, was keeping her eyes peeled for the pests.

If you see a gecko, snap a picture and email it to [email protected] or capture the gecko in a sealed container and bring it to staff at the council’s chambers during business hours at 818 Pacific Highway, Gordon.

If you see a gecko, snap a picture and email it to [email protected] or

capture the gecko in a sealed container and bring it to staff at the council’s chambers during business hours at 818 Pacific Highway, Gordon.

 

[cris]

THE gecko has to go.

The Indian Pacific species, which normally lives in parts of South East Asia and India, has invaded northern Sydney over the past 12 months after being smuggled into container ships and tourists’ luggage.

Why would anybody smuggle a gecko like this? It would seem to be something that just turns up in cargo, much like the AHG. No doubt it will soon take over our country and cause an ecological catastrophe...

 

[Flaviemys purvisi]

Why would anybody smuggle a gecko like this? It would seem to be something that just turns up in cargo, much like the AHG. No doubt it will soon take over our country and cause an ecological catastrophe...

The indian/Asian house gecko should be right at home here in "Austrasia"... Just as Pauline Hanson.