Indiana has been invaded by geckos and the little lizards aren’t peddling insurance.  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to report sightings of Mediterranean geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus). The Mediterranean gecko is an exotic lizard species not dangerous but has been observed at several locations across the state.

Please email sightings, especially ones backed by photographs, to HerpSurveys@dnr.IN.gov, including the photograph(s). The information will help the DNR track locations of the introduced species.

Mediterranean geckos are native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and northern Africa. They are 4 to 5 inches long and are tan or pink with brown blotches on their body. They can also be identified by their warty skin, banded tail, and large, bulging eyes with vertical pupils. The lizards are most active at night and can be observed near outdoor lights, feeding on insects during the warm season, or inside buildings at any time of year.

DNR biologists have received photo-backed reports of Mediterranean geckos in recent years. Most involve a small number arriving as hitchhikers on shipments.

Mediterranean geckos are the most widespread exotic lizard species introduced to the United States. The lizards are closely associated with man-made structures and typically live in and around buildings. They cannot easily spread in Indiana because they need a heated building to survive winter and are not considered a threat to Indiana’s natural resources.

For more information on Mediterranean geckos, visit wildlife.IN.gov/wildlife-resources/animals/mediterranean-gecko/.

Hunters Donate Deer To Feed Hungry Hoosiers

Indiana Conservation Officers encourage Indiana hunters to donate harvested deer to help feed Hoosiers in need.

“Venison harvested through hunting is an important source of nourishment for Hoosier families,” said Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement. “Through Hunt for Hunger, hunters can donate a deer and expand that generous impact to even more Hoosiers in need across the state.”

Hunt for Hunger, a program administered by the DNR Division of Law Enforcement, provides grants to the division’s nonprofit partners, including Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsmen Club, and Hunters and Farmers Feeding the Hungry, to pay for meat processing fees when hunters donate legally harvested deer.

Participating in the program is simple:

 Drop off the field-dressed deer at a local participating processor. Processing fees are paid for by Hunt for Hunger (no cost to the donating hunter). The processor creates venison burger to distribute to food banks.

The participating organizations notify food banks throughout Indiana when venison is ready to be collected from certified Hunt for Hunger processors. The food banks distribute venison to soup kitchens and food pantries. 

More than 500,000 pounds of venison have been donated by Hoosier hunters since the program’s inception in 2008.

For more information on donating a harvested deer and a list of participating processors, please visit on.IN.gov/huntforhunger.

Nickel Plate Trail Connection In Indianapolis 

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the city of Indianapolis celebrated the completion of the Nickel Plate Trail on October 21 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The 10-foot-wide, asphalt, multi-use trail was constructed by the city of Indianapolis with support from a $5 million grant from the DNR.

The new trail follows the historic Nickel Plate railroad corridor, running 10.3 miles northeast from the Indiana State Fairgrounds to the Marion-Hamilton county line at 96th Street. The new trail connects to the Monon Trail near the state fairgrounds. After the Indiana Department of Transportation finishes the I-465/I-69 section, the new trail will connect to the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers with a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over 96th Street currently under construction.

“Across Indiana, we see communities coming together to support strong trail connections like this new connection through Indianapolis’ section of the Nickel Plate Trail,” said Chris Smith, DNR deputy director. “DNR is proud to support communities as they build trails that connect people to each other and Indiana’s great outdoors.”

With the bridge connection, the Nickel Plate Trail will run more than 19 miles across Marion and Hamilton counties, connecting through Indianapolis, Fishers and Noblesville to Forest Park. The portion of the trail under the I-465/I-69 interchange will be completed by INDOT in 2026.

Avian Influenza Now In Multiple Indiana Counties 

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a blue-winged teal in Greene County through surveillance conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services and DNR Division of Fish, Wildlife & Nature Preserves. HPAI has also been confirmed as the cause of death in black vultures in Jefferson County and is suspected as the cause of black vulture deaths in Franklin County. 

Signs of HPAI in waterfowl and raptors include:

Sudden death

Neurological impairment (e.g., lack of coordination, swimming/walking in circles, tremors, twisted neck)

Lack of energy and appetite

Swelling of the head, neck, and eyes

Nasal discharge, cough, sneezing, lack of coordination, and diarrhea.

If you find wild waterfowl or raptors dead for no obvious reason or showing any of the above signs, report it online at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk for HPAI is low. However, it is possible for humans to contract HPAI. Avoid contact with sick waterfowl and other sick wildlife whenever possible. If a carcass must be removed, put on disposable gloves and a mask, double bag the carcass, and place it in the trash. If possible, use a tool such as a shovel to pick up the carcass instead of your hands. Wash hands with soap and warm water immediately afterward.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends waterfowl hunters process birds in a well-ventilated area or outdoors and wear protective clothing such as a face mask and gloves. Meat harvested from waterfowl should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before consumption.

Reach out to the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) if you develop any of the following symptoms after coming in contact with waterfowl: eye irritation or redness, fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or rash. Call IDOH at 317-233-7125 during business hours. Outside of business hours, call 317-233-1325 and follow the prompts in the automated menu to speak to the epidemiologist on call. 

Some domestic and agricultural animals are also known to be susceptible to HPAI, including poultry, cattle, and cats. If you have animals at home, be sure to process and dispose of any harvested waterfowl away from your animals and practice good biosecurity measures. 

For more information on HPAI, visit on.IN.gov/avian-flu.

‘till next time,  

Jack

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com 

Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.