Anti-1080 campaigner Carol Sawyer believes the safety of the little-known and rare Roys Peak gecko will be put at risk by TBFree New Zealand's poisoning programme later this month.
Ms Sawyer told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the gecko was ''an outstanding reason'' not to allow aerial poisoning of the Wanaka area.
She cited scientific papers suggesting large-scale possum eradication programmes ''exacerbated prey-switching'' in stoats.
''There is a major risk that the few remaining Roy's Peak geckos will be eaten by predators after the aerial poisoning.
''In addition to the risk of increased predation ... the lizards may directly eat the cereal bait and be poisoned by contaminated food or water sources.''
Doc Wanaka spokeswoman Annette Grieve told the ODT yesterday ''all current scientific information'' indicated reptiles were ''not considered susceptible'' to 1080 poisoning.
''When this is combined with the low sowing rate of bait within the gecko habitat, it is considered virtually impossible for a gecko to consume a lethal dose of 1080.''
The orange-spotted Roys Peak gecko existed on ''limited sites'' within the area affected by the drop, she said.
It is listed as a ''nationally vulnerable'' New Zealand reptile.
For TBFree New Zealand, OSPRI pest management group manager Matthew Hall said geckos and their food supply were ''extremely vulnerable'' to competition from introduced pest species, such as possums and rats, and the 1080 drop would help protect the gecko.
''An independent assessment of the effects of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) on the environment was undertaken by Landcare Research.
''It found that possum control benefits native species by enhancing the life-supporting capacity of ecosystems and associated indigenous flora and fauna at risk from possum damage.''
Mr Hall said the aim of the poisoning programme was to eradicate Tb from wild animals in the Mt Roy area by 2026 to safeguard cattle and deer.
Ms Sawyer said she was not aware of any plans for an organised protest over the aerial poisoning programme, due to begin after May 15.
• Doc describes Roys Peak gecko (Hoplodactylus) as having a ''slender to robust'' build.
They can be grey, olive-grey or brown, or have two-tone orange and yellow spots. The mouth is ''vivid orange''.
Native geckos are legally protected and no-one can kill or have them in their possession unless they have a permit.
