In a remarkable turn of events, a gecko species long believed to be extinct—or perhaps never to have existed at all—has been rediscovered in South Africa’s Blyde River Canyon. The Blyde River flat gecko, scientifically named Afroedura rondavelica, was first identified in 1991 when two male specimens were collected from a remote rocky outcrop in the canyon. However, the absence of subsequent sightings led some scientists to question its validity as a distinct species, speculating that the initial specimens might have been juveniles of another known gecko. Consequently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified it as “data deficient,” reflecting the uncertainty surrounding its existence.
A long search finally pays off
Fast forward to April 2025, when researchers Darren Pietersen and John Davies from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) embarked on a mission to resolve this decades-old mystery. After two years of meticulous planning and securing necessary permits, the duo was airlifted by helicopter to the same inaccessible outcrop in the Blyde River Canyon where the original specimens had been found. The location, unreachable by foot due to its steep cliffs and treacherous terrain, had remained largely undisturbed in the years since the gecko was first recorded.
Over the course of three nights, the team carried out an extensive survey of the area. What they found surpassed even their most hopeful expectations. Not only did they confirm the gecko’s continued existence, but they counted between 20 to 30 individuals, a sign that a stable population may have persisted undetected for more than three decades. They managed to capture and photograph seven specimens, each one examined carefully to ensure accuracy. Tissue samples were also taken for DNA analysis to definitively confirm the gecko’s identity.
More than just a rediscovery
This isn’t just a feel-good story about an animal reappearing against the odds. The rediscovery of Afroedura rondavelica is important for several reasons. First, it confirms the existence of a species that some had doubted was ever distinct in the first place. Second, it opens the door for a reassessment of the gecko’s conservation status, moving it out of the vague “data deficient” category and potentially giving it legal protection. Third, it sends a clear message about the value of fieldwork in remote and hard-to-reach places.
As Pietersen explained to The Times, one of the driving motivations behind the expedition was to clear up decades of taxonomic uncertainty. By securing physical evidence and genetic material, the team is now in a position to provide definitive answers and ensure that the species isn’t overlooked again. The rediscovery also strengthens the case for preserving South Africa’s unique rocky outcrop ecosystems, which are often home to endemic species that exist nowhere else on Earth.
Conservation lessons from a tiny lizard
What makes this story even more compelling is how it fits into a broader pattern. The Blyde River flat gecko is now the fifth “lost” species rediscovered by the EWT in the past few years. Others include a sand dune mole, a butterfly, a lizard, and a frog—species that, like the gecko, were assumed to be extinct or at least vanished from science’s radar. These rediscoveries serve as powerful reminders of the gaps in our knowledge, and of the resilience of nature when given the chance to survive away from human interference.
According to a report from Euronews Green, efforts like this also shine a spotlight on the importance of local and international collaboration in conservation. Without the coordination between scientists, helicopter pilots, funders, and local authorities, this kind of expedition wouldn’t be possible. And while these stories often grab headlines, they also rely on years of preparation, data review, and negotiation before anyone sets foot in the field.
Now that the species has been rediscovered, the next steps are just as crucial. The tissue samples will be sent for laboratory analysis, where researchers will sequence the DNA and compare it with the 1991 specimens. If the data confirms the gecko’s unique genetic makeup, it will help update databases and strengthen conservation arguments for the region. It could also form the basis for more in-depth studies about its habitat needs, behaviour, and potential threats.
A glimmer of hope in biodiversity research
In an age where biodiversity loss dominates headlines and species extinction seems alarmingly common, stories like this offer a rare moment of hope. They show that while some creatures do vanish forever, others are simply hiding—waiting to be found by the right people with the right tools and the determination to keep looking. It also calls into question just how many other species might be out there, tucked away in rugged mountains, dense forests, or deep canyons, quietly surviving without notice.
But rediscovery doesn’t guarantee safety. The area where the Blyde River flat gecko lives is still vulnerable to climate change, habitat degradation, and human disturbance. Conservationists hope that this rediscovery will spur further protection efforts—not just for the gecko but for the wider ecosystem it represents.
As we continue to chart the natural world, this story is a powerful reminder of why field science matters, why patience and persistence pay off, and why protecting remote wild places is not just an act of preservation but of discovery. In the words of the EWT team, the rediscovery of Afroedura rondavelica is not just a scientific achievement—it’s a celebration of the unknown, and a call to protect it before it’s lost again.