Two of Australia’s most vulnerable reptile species, the Mount Elliot leaf-tailed gecko (Phyllurus amnicola) and the ringed thin-tail gecko (Phyllurus caudiannulatus), have received enhanced protections against international trade. This decision was made on 3 December 2025 during the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Strengthened Protections for Endangered Species
Both gecko species have been listed under Appendix II of CITES, which provides a critical level of protection aimed at regulating international trade. This categorization is vital as both species are endemic to Australia and face significant threats from habitat loss, climate change, and illegal poaching.
Dr. Renae Charalambous, the wildlife program manager for Humane World for Animals Australia, emphasized the urgency of this protection. “Both of these geckos are enduring significant threats to their existence from events like bushfires, anthropogenic climate change, and illegal poaching for the wild animal pet trade,” she stated. “Alarmingly, both species have been found for sale on pet markets in countries in North America and Europe.”
Impact of Habitat Loss and Climate Change
The ringed thin-tailed gecko is restricted to just three locations within a single state forest in Queensland. It was severely affected by the Black Summer bushfires in 2020, which destroyed approximately 28% of its habitat. The species was classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2017 and elevated to Endangered under Australian national legislation in 2024.
Similarly, the Mount Elliot leaf-tailed gecko is confined to four sites within the same state forest. A documented poaching incident in 2012 saw a population of around 20 individuals at one site drastically reduced to a single animal. This species is also classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN and is listed as Vulnerable under Australia’s national laws.
Dr. Charalambous, along with Lawrence Chlebeck, the marine program manager, is at the CITES conference advocating for stronger protections not only for these geckos but also for other species threatened by trophy hunting and overfishing. The ongoing efforts highlight the importance of international cooperation in wildlife conservation.
CITES provides a tiered system of protection for species impacted by international trade. Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction, while Appendix II allows controlled trade under strict regulations. The listing of these geckos under Appendix II includes permit requirements and mandates that any export will not have a detrimental effect on the species’ long-term survival in the wild.
The decision to enhance protections for the Mount Elliot leaf-tailed gecko and the ringed thin-tail gecko marks a significant step toward safeguarding these unique reptiles, underscoring the global commitment to preserving biodiversity.
