In 2015, some "Woodworthia cf. brunnea" geckos were relocated into Riccarton Bush from the bluffs above Rāpaki, as due to the Christchurch earthquake their habitat was under threat. Two hundred and nine geckos were retrieved “from the Crater Rim Bluffs by abseil access rope technicians because major geotechnical work planned for the area would destroy the geckos’ habitat”. While it was noted that the forested habitat of the Bush was very different from their previous rocky bluff habitat, it was selected as the release area due to the predator-proof fence surrounding it, offering the geckos the best chance for survival. Canterbury geckos had lived in the Riccarton Bush area until around the 1980s, and as such it was determined they could survive there again. The geckos were fitted with radio transmitters and released into kahikatea trees ("Dacrycarpus dacrydioides"), although most moved to “other vine-covered trees or stumps. One took up residence in a cabbage tree near the release tree”. The transmitters proved effective in monitoring the distance the geckos moved and whether they remained close enough together for further mating opportunities, and the geckos “seem to have settled in well”.