Famous Otago Museum jeweled gecko dies

Manawa, the Otago Museum's jewelled gecko. Photo / Peter McIntosh

Manawa, the jeweled gecko who made headlines after he was smuggled out of New Zealand to Germany and returned to Otago years later has had to be put down.

Otago Museum and Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou announced the gecko was euthanised after he was unable to be revived during treatments for "a series of ailments".

"Unfortunately, Manawa became increasingly unwell recently. Over the course of this year, he has received treatment from the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital for a variety of ailments. No specific diseases or causes were diagnosed.

"As his age is unknown, his failing health may have been due to natural progression.

"Sadly, the hospital team reported a notable decrease in his quality of life. He lost interest in food and his continued medical treatments were not proving effective.

"The vets at the Wildlife Hospital advised euthanasia as the humane option."

The Otago Museum had joined with the rūnanga, the Department of Conservation and the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital to care for the gecko after he was repatriated to New Zealand.

The male gecko had been stolen from Otago Peninsula, smuggled into Germany and later sent back to New Zealand after being spotted on Facebook in 2013 by Dunedin herpetologist Carey Knox.

The jeweled gecko (moko kākāriki) was one of two taken from the peninsula about 2010, and Mr Knox later recognised one of them, using a photo he had taken of him earlier. The other gecko was also returned but died while in quarantine.

"Manawa is believed to be the first endemic wild animal poached from this country to be successfully repatriated."

Due to concerns regarding the biosecurity risk to New Zealand's fragile and unique environment, Manawa was required to stay in containment at Otago Museum.

Manawa was named after a competition was held.

The winning entrant, Tara Swan, of Masterton explained that the Māori word "manawa" meant heart, and that geckos were special in her heart, and also at the heart of many conservation stories.