A rare species of Australian lizard has been spotted in the wild for the first time since 1969, having previously being written off as extinct.

The discovery of a Victorian grassland earless dragon population has conservationists and nature-lovers buzzing.

The exact location of the group is being kept under wraps to keep them and their home safe, with the federal and Victorian governments stepping in to ensure the species’ recovery.

Once commonly found in native grasslands west of Melbourne, the lizard’s numbers slumped due to habitat loss and predators such as foxes and feral cats.

A jointly-funded $188,000 trial will use specially trained sniffer dogs in an attempt to locate more populations of the dragon.

Federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek said detection dogs are an effective and non-invasive way to find the “highly cryptic” and critically endangered lizard in the wild.

Feral invaders’ immense damage

“To best support the recovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon, we have to know where they are,” Ms Plibersek said.

“I want to protect our precious creatures for our kids and grandkids.

“It’s a reminder about why it’s so important to invest in habitat restoration and the eradication of feral species.”

A conservation breeding program will also be established by Zoos Victoria to ensure the species is not lost again.

A breeding program for the similarly endangered, Canberra grassland earless dragon, already exists at Melbourne Zoo and will greatly help to inform the success of the latest efforts.

Victorian environment minister Ingrid Stitt vowed to continue working hard at protecting Victoria’s most vulnerable creatures.

“This is an amazing discovery and offers an opportunity for us to recover a species once thought lost to our state and the world!” Ms Stitt said.

“With the help of our partners we will continue to fight the extinction of this critically endangered species – ensuring future generations can see and learn about this incredibly unique lizard.”

-AAP