Golden gecko (Gekko badenii)

A strikingly coloured gecko from southern Vietnam, highly sought after in the reptile trade and increasingly threatened in its natural habitat.

Context

This individual was photographed under human care at Kölner Zoo, Germany, where the species is part of conservation initiatives led by Professor Thomas Ziegler and his team in collaboration with Vietnamese scientists.

 

Field notes

The golden gecko is one of the most visually impressive geckos in Southeast Asia. Its bright yellow to golden-orange coloration makes it particularly distinctive among Asian species of the genus Gekko.

At Kölner Zoo, the species is displayed alongside other Vietnamese reptiles and amphibians in the vivarium. These animals are part of Vietnamazing, a conservation campaign dedicated to raising awareness of Vietnam’s remarkable biodiversity and the threats facing its endemic species.

Although the golden gecko is relatively widespread under human care, the work carried out at Kölner Zoo is particularly important. Professor Thomas Ziegler, together with head keeper Anna Rauhaus and their Vietnamese scientific partners, has contributed significantly to research and in situ conservation initiatives for threatened reptiles and amphibians in Vietnam.

 

Key facts

The golden gecko is endemic to Vietnam, although its precise distribution remains subject to taxonomic investigation. In particular, the relationship between Gekko badenii and the name Gekko ulikovskii has raised questions that require further study. Resolving these uncertainties is important for accurately assessing the species’ distribution and conservation status.

Recent research suggests that Gekko badenii, in its more restricted taxonomic interpretation, may be endemic to Ba Den Mountain, a prominent sacred mountain and pilgrimage site in southern Vietnam. The species’ scientific name, badenii, refers to this locality. Populations previously attributed to the species in Kon Tum Province may represent a different taxon.

On Ba Den Mountain, the gecko inhabits rocky granite cliffs and forested areas situated between agricultural land at lower elevations and a temple complex higher on the mountain. Its remaining habitat forms a relatively narrow belt, where the species can still occur locally in good numbers when suitable conditions are maintained.

 

Conservation

The species is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Collection for local consumption and the international pet trade represents a significant threat, while its remaining habitat is increasingly affected by agricultural activities and the expansion of infrastructure associated with the temple complex.

Working alongside Vietnamese scientists, Professor Thomas Ziegler and the reptile team at Kölner Zoo have contributed to surveys of Ba Den Mountain and the development of conservation initiatives focused on this remarkable endemic gecko.

Their research and conservation work have helped raise awareness among Vietnamese authorities of the species’ vulnerability and the importance of protecting its remaining habitat. These efforts have contributed to initiatives aimed at strengthening legal protection and safeguarding the forested and rocky habitat belt around Ba Den Mountain.

This project provides an excellent example of how modern zoological institutions can contribute not only to ex situ conservation, but also directly to scientific research, habitat protection, and the survival of threatened species in the wild.

 

More photos from this observation

 

Other species involved in zoo conservation programmes can be found by browsing my Education resources.

 

 

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