Rationale
(Changed due to Incorrect data used previously|Knowledge of criteria)
This species has a limited high-altitude distribution and is not locally abundant even in areas of apparently suitable habitat. Frequent fires relating to agricultural practices and overgrazing are causing some decline in the quality of habitat, however, the population is not severely fragmented, nor does it appear to be fluctuating. In addition, its habitat is essentially intact at present and the majority of its distribution is within protected areas. It is therefore considered Least Concern.
Threats
There are indications of intensification of grazing by livestock across the Lesotho highlands and in adjacent areas of South Africa above the escarpment, including areas inhabited by this species (Stewart 2001). Climate change (warming) may reduce available habitat and could constitute a threat to Tropidosaura cottrelli, which has limited opportunity for compensatory migration. Despite these threats, there is little evidence that the species has declined. There are many areas with suitable habitat that have not yet been surveyed and may support these lizards. The species does not appear to be in high density, which could increase risk associated with present and emerging threats.
Conservation
Occurs in some protected areas. Improvement of this species abundance would assist in understanding whether it is impacted by habitat threats. This could be done through monitoring at multiple sites spanning its distribution (such as Mont-aux-Sources and Ben McDhui). Additional surveys of suitable areas where the species has not yet been observed would also assist to understand if the species is at risk.
