Summer science: The underdogs under the ledge

Our Changing World

The summer science series continues with an episode from Tune into Nature, a podcast about New Zealand wildlife and wild places, and the people who look after them. Independent producer Karthic SS visits the Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary Central Otago. Here, a team is working to bring back endangered lizards – Otago skinks and grand skinks – to the drylands wilderness they once lived in. These species are true wildlife underdogs – so rare and out of sight, not many people know they exist.

Tune into Nature is a podcast produced and presented by Karthic SS.

Listen to more Tune into Nature episodes.

Guests:

• Grant Norbury, ecologist and chairperson, Central Otago Ecological Trust (COET)
• Anna Yeoman, science communicator and trustee, COET
• Carey Knox, herpetologist, Southern Scales
• Kathryn Longstaff, Department of Conservation (DOC) Central Otago
• Ross Curtis , senior ranger, DOC Central Otago
• Joanna, ranger, DOC Central Otago

This episode was supported by OAR FM Dunedin, Science Communication at the University of Otago, and the NZ Lottery Grants Environment and Heritage fund, administered by Te Tari Taiwhenua, the Department of Internal Affairs.

Learn more:

• Alison Ballance goes on an urban lizard hunt in this 2017 episode.
• Anna Yeoman spoke to Nine to Noon about her lizard book.

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Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details