Dunedin resident Samuel Purdie hopes winning the overall prize in the Otago Wildlife Photography Competition will raise awareness of a rare, nationally endangered forest gecko. "I’m flattered, I’m rather surprised," Mr Purdie (21) said about gaining the award. His winning entry depicts a Tautuku gecko, a secretive and endangered indigenous species, well camouflaged against a lichen-covered rock in the Catlins. Little had been seen of the now nationally endangered gecko for at least two decades until Southland herpetologist Tony Jewell rediscovered the species in 1994. As winner, Mr Purdie received a Canon printer and two packs of photo print paper.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 02, 2020 16:30 UTC