Conservation staff to investigate tuatara claims at Southland Museum

Conservation staff will investigate Southland Museum's tuatarium after claims the ancient reptiles have been starved of ultraviolet light.

Conservation Department biodiversity programme manager Andy Roberts said he would audit the museum's breeding programme over the next two months after reports that the roofing was affecting tuatara health.

Invercargill city councillor Peter Kett said the museum had not asked for money to fix the roof as part of the annual plan, despite claims that the roofing material was cutting out too much ultraviolet light, and that the still-mating tuatara had stopped laying eggs.