The men, aged 56 and 47, were granted interim name suppression by Judge John Macdonald in the Dunedin District Court yesterday and were remanded in custody by their consent until Friday, on Crimes Act charges of taking four jewelled geckos, valued at more than $1000, and Crimes Act and Wildlife Act charges of hunting and unlawfully possessing "absolutely protected" wildlife.
The pair required a translator. Duty solicitor Steve Turner said they would be seeking counsel and one requested name suppression to allow his family in Germany to be notified.
It is just a year since another German, Manfred Bachmann, was sentenced to 15 weeks' jail after being caught with 16 jewelled geckos from Otago Peninsula in his backpack last February.
Two other internationals were also sentenced to 18 weeks each on hunting and possession charges connected to the same incident.
Department of Conservation Coastal Otago area manager Robin Thomas said investigations were continuing into whether anyone else was involved in the latest case and if any other animals had been taken, as it was possible they could be concealed elsewhere or already dispatched from New Zealand.
Four geckos were found in accommodation being used by the men in Dunedin after a site on the peninsula which was home to a population of geckos was put under surveillance last month, he said.
The area had been previously targeted by jewelled-gecko thieves and signs indicated that it had again been recently disturbed.
The geckos, including at least one which was obviously pregnant, were stressed but in good health and were being kept in isolation in a secure place until investigations were completed.
Doc, along with police, New Zealand Customs, the Wildlife Enforcement Group and members of the public were involved in the surveillance.
"We're pleased with the results, but very disappointed that there are people who continue to try and exploit our native wildlife.
These are precious animals and they need our protection," Mr Thomas said.
