One of Bermuda's few unique species is being endangered by development and wild cats.

The Bermuda skink has been placed on the critically endangered list by the International Union for the Conservation of Natural Resources -- the recognised guide for conservationists.

Now Island experts are studying what measures are needed to protect the creature from possible extinction.

Its plight could also be highlighted in special commemorative coins produced for the World Wildlife Fund under plans being considered by officials in Bermuda.

The skink, a species unique to the Island, is just 16 centimetres long fully grown, grey or black in colour and is a ground dwelling, clawed lizard, localised in a few small populations at either end of the Island.

However its future is threatened by increased development robbing it of the natural tree covering that was once common across the Island.

Feral cats are also a threat with one cat known to have wiped out an entire population.

James Conyers, the Bermuda Aquarium supervisor, said: "Two generations of Bermudians will have grown up never having seen a skink.

"It is something that is uniquely Bermudian. If it goes you will never see it again.'' Mr. Conyers has been studying the skink for several years and was involved in having the creature categorised as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Only two categories come above critically endangered -- extinct in the wild and extinct.

It is officially listed in the Swiss-based IUCN's Red Data Book which is regarded within the conservation world as one of the key references on endangered and threatened species.

"It is not so much the numbers, it is what is happening to the population. It has a severely fragmented population and there is a continuing decline in the number of areas where it occurs on the Island.

"There is a decline in the quality of habitat and in the number of mature individuals in the populations,'' said Mr. Conyers.

"One reason is the modification in terrain and habitat through development.

The traditional canopy provided by trees is declining.

"Also cats running wild are a major threat. They eat, kill and play with the skinks. One population was wiped out in one season by one cat.'' Mr. Conyers added: "It is protected within nature reserves, but it is not protected Island-wide although we are trying to establish what measures we need to take to protect it.

"In compiling data to protect it we hope to draw up a realistic conservation management plan for this particular species.'' Meanwhile the Bermuda Monetary Authority has received a proposal from the World Wildlife Fund to take part in an international coin collection featuring endangered species.

A BMA spokeswoman said: "Participating countries have been asked to pick an endangered species. If we do take part it will likely feature the skink.'' ANIMALS ALS