Lazarus Lizard: Australian Lizard Came Back from the Dead

Some reptiles are among the most endangered animals on the planet, as they face many threats from human activities and environmental changes.

One of the most remarkable stories of reptile conservation is the rediscovery of a rare lizard in Australia that was thought to be extinct for half a century.

This is the story of the Victorian grassland earless dragon, a small, spiky lizard that lives in the grasslands of southeastern Australia.

A rare dragon emerges from hiding

(Photo : John Moore/Getty Images)

The Victorian grassland earless dragon is one of four earless dragons found only in Australia. Despite its name, it is not a true dragon, but a type of skink that lacks external ear openings, as per Phys.org.

This lizard was thought to be extinct for over 50 years, as it had not been seen since 1969. Urban development, agriculture, and invasive predators had severely reduced its habitat. It was feared that it would be the first reptile from mainland Australia to go extinct.

However, in June, a team of researchers from Museums Victoria and the Arthur Rylah Institute announced that they had rediscovered the lizard in a secret location near Melbourne. They used camera traps and pitfall traps to capture and identify the elusive reptiles.

They confirmed that they belonged to the Victorian species by comparing their DNA and morphology with museum specimens.

The rediscovery was hailed as an amazing discovery and a second chance to save the species from extinction.

Jane Melville, a senior curator of herpetology at Museums Victoria, said that it was one of the best moments in her career.

She had conducted taxonomic research in 2019 that showed that this lizard was a unique species, different from those in other parts of Australia.

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A plan to protect the dragon's future

The Victorian grassland earless dragon is still critically endangered, as it faces many threats in its remaining habitat.

It is estimated that only 1% of the original grassland area where the lizard lives is left, and most of it is fragmented and degraded, as per the Natural History Museum.

The lizard also has to contend with predators such as cats and foxes, which were introduced by European settlers and have decimated many native Australian animals.

To ensure the survival of the species, the researchers are working with the state government and local landowners to develop a conservation plan.

This may include creating protected areas, restoring grassland habitats, controlling invasive species, monitoring populations, and raising public awareness.

Ingrid Stitt, the state of Victoria's Minister for the Environment, said that this was an amazing discovery and offered an opportunity for them to recover a species once thought lost to their state and the world.

She said that they would continue to fight the extinction of this critically endangered species, ensuring future generations can see and learn about this incredibly unique lizard.

The rediscovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon is a rare and hopeful story in a time when many reptiles are facing extinction.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report, more than 20% of reptile species are threatened with extinction worldwide, mainly due to habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation.

The Victorian grassland earless dragon shows that even when a species seems to have vanished, there may still be a chance to find it and protect it.

As Melville said: "It's not a myth: this Australian dragon is very much alive."