• New Caledonia's giant geckos are highly sought after in the global pet trade, leading to increased poaching and endangering their populations.
• Social media is fueling the demand for these geckos, with collectors willing to pay high prices for rare species.
• Conservationists are struggling to protect the geckos due to limited resources and the difficulty of monitoring vast habitats.

New Caledonia's giant geckos, found only in the Pacific territory, are facing a severe threat from poachers driven by the demand in the global pet trade. The geckos' popularity is fueled by social media, where collectors showcase and trade these exotic reptiles. Conservationists are concerned that the increased poaching is pushing already endangered species closer to extinction, with limited resources available to combat the illegal activity. The situation is exacerbated by habitat loss from wildfires, climate change, invasive species, and mining.

• What: Poaching of New Caledonia's giant geckos is increasing due to their popularity in the global pet trade, driven by social media. This is threatening endangered species.
• Who: Key individuals involved include park rangers like Joël Delafenetre, researcher Aaron Bauer, gecko vendor David Utrera, and conservationists like Oriane Lallemand and Marianne Bonzon. Organizations involved include the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Zoological and Forest Park in Nouméa, and New Caledonia's customs officials and rangers.
• When: Poaching became prevalent in the 1970s and has resurged with the rise of social media. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature assessment was conducted last year. The article was posted on Thu 8 May 2025 at 7:35pm.
• Where: The events are primarily occurring in New Caledonia, specifically in areas like Blue River Park. The geckos are being smuggled to locations like the United States.

The rising demand for New Caledonia's geckos as exotic pets, fueled by social media, presents a significant challenge to conservation efforts. The high prices that these geckos fetch online incentivize poaching, threatening the already vulnerable populations. While some breeders argue that captive breeding can aid conservation, conservationists express concern that it does not address the core issue of illegal collection and may not maintain sufficient genetic diversity. The limited resources available for monitoring and enforcement further complicate the situation, highlighting the urgent need for increased protection measures and public awareness.

"If more are taken from the wild, it will further decrease the population and risk extinction."

"Before I even publish something, chances are the new species is out there somewhere in the pet trade, amongst the elite collectors of pet reptiles who are really competing amongst themselves to get the strangest, the newest, the most colourful,"

"At the end of the day, the animals that we produce in captivity are much brighter, they're much more docile."

"They collect these geckos like stamps,"

"Geckos should stay in the wild. Taking them out of their habitat would turn them into farm animals, and that's not the goal. I'd rather see them in the wild, living their lives as normal geckos in the forest and not locked up in boxes."

The future of New Caledonia's giant geckos hangs in the balance as poaching continues to threaten their survival. The allure of these unique reptiles in the exotic pet trade, amplified by social media, necessitates urgent action. Increased conservation efforts, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, and heightened public awareness are crucial to protect these endangered species and preserve New Caledonia's biodiversity. The perspectives of conservationists, breeders, and local communities must be considered to create a sustainable solution.