Crested geckos were believed to be extinct prior to rediscovery in 1994. The species is currently being assessed for CITES protection and vulnerable status. The biggest single threat to the wild population appears to be the introduction of the little fire ant (Wassmania auropunctata) to New Caledonia.

When did Crested Geckos go extinct?

Crested GeckoFollowing its discovery in 1866, the crested gecko went AWOL for many decades and was believed to be extinct until it was found in 1994 on the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia by German herpetologists, according to National Geographic.

Who found Crested Geckos?

Until very recently the Crested Gecko was presumed extinct for more then a century after being described in 1866 as Correlophus ciliatus by a French zoologist. It was rediscovered by the German herpetologist Friedrich Wilhelm Henkel and his team in 1994.