Health Surveillance Survey of Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Taronga Reptile Populations - Guiding Translocation Opportunities

This study forms part of an investigation into the feasibility of translocating the critically endangered Christmas Island Lister’s gecko and blue tailed skink to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, as insurance populations to reduce the risks of extinction. To assess the risks associated with infectious disease transmission and exposure resulting from the translocation of reptiles from Christmas Island and Taronga Zoo to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, gross and microscopic examination of invasive species of lizards collected on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands was performed. Additionally, the post mortem findings of Lister’s geckos and blue tailed skinks that died spontaneously at the Taronga Zoo captive breeding colony were reviewed.