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Boost to tuatara numbers

From City Scene, published on 3 March, 2008

As part of Auckland Zoo's ongoing conservation efforts, two northern tuatara of Cuvier Island origin were released back onto the island last month. The release boosted the island's current tuatara population - estimated at under 30 - and brings to 20 the number of zoo-bred tuatara released on the island since 1990. Auckland Zoo plans to relocate another 14 tuatara to the pest-free island in spring, provided the animals have a body weight of at least 80 grams - the size at which they can adequately defend themselves from natural predators.