An Indigenous perspective on the conservation of an insular endemic: the prehensile-tailed skink <i>Corucia zebrata</i> on the Solomon Islands

Abstract The prehensile-tailed skink Corucia zebrata is endemic to the Solomon Islands. It most traded reptile from country. During 2000–2019, CITES reported legal export of 10,567 individuals. Although level this trade well documented, impacts on skink's survival in its native range are comparatively unknown. January–May 2020, we surveyed 146 people 12 islands collect information habitats preferred by skink, understand perceptions species' conservation status and identify any potential threats. Respondents lowland hill forests as being favoured habitats, with low proportions respondents identifying coastal montane suitable habitat. Habitat loss (72%), hunting (17%), predation (6%) were identified main People younger than 30 years age killing skinks more frequently did over 30. Prehensile-tailed have a relatively small home range, long reproductive cycle, vulnerable numerous We thus recommend halt current practice exporting wild-caught skinks, replacement well-regulated captive breeding programme.