The giant Tongan ground skink, a mysterious and elusive lizard endemic to the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific, has captured the attention of scientists and native Tongans alike. First documented by French scientists in the 19th century, the species, Tachygyia microlepis, was believed to be extinct according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, a new study by scientists Ivan Ineich and Wolfgang Bohme suggests that there may still be hope for the giant skink’s survival.
The original specimens of the giant skink were found on Tongatapu Island, but deforestation and the introduction of predators like cats, dogs, and rats likely led to its extinction on the island. Despite efforts by researchers in 1993 to locate the elusive creature in the remaining forest area of Tongatapu, the grey ghost remained hidden. However, hope for the species’ survival comes from the rediscovery of another species of skink, Bocourt’s Terrific Skink, which was thought to be extinct but was found in the early 2000s in a small island group south of New Caledonia.
One reason for optimism about the giant skink’s survival comes from its stealthy nature and habitat preferences. The original discovery of the skink by the French naturalists aboard the Astrolabe occurred during the rainy season when the skinks were forced out of their underground lairs by heavy rains. Tongan folklore also suggests that sightings of the skink were rare and possibly portentous, reinforcing the idea that the skink is elusive and difficult to find. British naturalist John Gibbons offered a reward in 1986 for anyone who could find or photograph the skink, but he tragically died in a boating accident before he could resume his search for the lost species.
The new study by Ineich and Bohme proposes that the giant skink may still be living in remote areas of Southern Tonga, particularly in the ‘Eua National Park, which hosts the last remaining rainforest in the area. The authors suggest that the skink could also be found on the small Kalau Island located south of ‘Eua. While the ecological compromise of Tongatapu makes it unlikely for the giant skink to survive on the island, there is hope that it may still persist on peripheral islets or on the less ecologically altered island of ‘Eua.
The mystery of the giant Tongan ground skink continues to intrigue scientists and conservationists, who remain hopeful for its survival despite its listing as extinct. The elusive nature of the skink, combined with its rumored special powers by native Tongans, adds to the allure and mystery surrounding this unique creature. As researchers continue to search for the grey ghost, time will tell whether the giant skink still exists on the islands of Tonga, offering hope for the conservation of this remarkable species.
