This video from New Zealand is about Otago skinks.
From Wildlife Extra:
Endangered skinks collected in NZ for breeding
Eighty-five endangered grand and Otago skinks have been collected near Wanaka in New Zealand as part of a as part of a breed-for-release programme
Ongoing decline in western grand and Otago skink populations has prompted the Department of Conservation (DOC) and several other agencies to collect the skinks from their Grandview Range habitat in the Lindis. The skinks will be housed temporarily at zoos, wild life parks and eco-sanctuaries throughout New Zealand, as part of a breed-for-release programme.
“This programme aims to increase numbers of both species so they can be released back into secure sites within their former range,” Grand and Otago Skink Project Manager Gavin Udy said. “It is a great example of conservation agencies and individuals working together to ensure the ongoing survival of an iconic, unique and endangered New Zealand species,”
Grand and Otago skinks are two of New Zealand’s most distinctive and impressive lizards. Known as giant skinks, they are the country’s largest lizards, with Otago skinks growing up to 300mm in length and grand skinks 230mm.
These omnivorous lizards are diurnal, and don’t hibernate. They can live for up to 20 years in the wild, and give birth to live young – two or three a year. Both species are unique to Otago and are two of New Zealand’s rarest reptiles. They are now found in only eight percent of their former range and have the highest possible threat status, ‘Nationally Critically Endangered‘.
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Dear Kitty. Some blog 
Reblogged this on anthonyvenable110 and commented:
How long have they been in decline?
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“As of 2000, the range of the Otago skink has decreased by roughly 90% when compared to the estimated historic range. Although it was once widespread, land use change, particularly the intensification of farming, and the introduction of mammalian predators has led to a decline in the population.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otago_skink
Probably, the decline began in the 19th century.
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It’s a shame everywhere people go we mess stuff up
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In New Zealand, 19th century British colonialists often introduced British species which harmed native ones.
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A common story all over the world
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In Australia and New Zealand, this happened more than in North America, and certainly more than in tropical Africa and tropical South America. There were special “acclimatisation societies” for this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acclimatisation_society
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In the USA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Acclimatization_Society
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Ok, their goal was to make a new place feel more like home. Not that they had bad intentions but that they didn’t understand the consequences of their actions. Just the same it is a tragedy that the species has suffered so much in loss of habitat.
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In the nineteenth century, biology had not advanced enough yet to know fully how disastrous bringing rabbits or cats to Australia would turn out.
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To be honest, I wonder if it would have been any different if they would have cared even if they knew? Of course, this isn’t exactly a murder mystery but it does raise some interesting questions
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Yes, although it is likely that knowledge would have done little to stop them from doing what they did. People want to feel at home when they go places its just how we are.
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