A case for listing the Union Island Gecko Gonatodes daudini in the Appendices of CITES

Abstract

The Union Island Gecko Gonatodes daudini is a Critically Endangered gecko, endemic to Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This species is occurring in an area less than 1 km2 in one of the Grenadines only remaining stands of mature forest. Illegal trade in this species was first reported in 2011 and over-harvesting for the international pet trade is now considered the single most important threat to the continued survival of this species. The Union Island Gecko was proposed for a CITES Appendix I listing for Cop18, to be held in Sri Lanka in 2019. Here we support this proposed listing by showing that international trade in this species is ongoing. We documented the advertisement of 36 Union Island Geckos in 19 advertisements between September 2014 and December 2018. Germany (39%), Netherlands (22%) and Austria (14%) were the most frequent reported origin of advertisements. For 5 animals a wild-caught origin was reported. Our findings support those of previous trade surveys. Recent surveys suggest a sharp (80%) decline in the most accessible habitats of the wild population and any offtake could have detrimental consequences. As such, there is strong justification for an immediate listing of the Union Island Gecko in Appendix I. Keywords: Wildlife trade, Smuggling, Population decline, Endemic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines