Reptile keepers on the NSW Central Coast have urged thieves to surrender a haul of exotic creatures, as they nurse a pair of recovered lizards back to health.
The two Solomon Island skinks were among 23 reptiles taken from the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby last month.
The haul, which included snakes, tortoises and a baby American alligator, had an estimated street value of $40,000.
Police seized the skinks in a sting operation at a Brooklyn car park on Friday, during which three men allegedly tried to sell them at $5000 apiece.
Park operations manager Tim Faulkner says the skinks returned worse for wear and staff now have grave concerns for the remaining reptiles.
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"(The skinks) are in poor health, they're dehydrated, their body temperature is low," he told AAP.
"One looks like it's sustained some burns along the back, probably from where they've been trying to heat it."
But he said the skinks were the most vulnerable of all the reptiles stolen, and staff were hopeful that with the right care they would recover.
"If you had to pick an animal to bring back first, this would be it," he said.
Three teenagers arrested on Friday have been charged with receiving stolen goods.
One, aged 18, was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court later on Saturday.
The others, both 19, were granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on October 22.
Mr Faulkner urged the thieves to cut their losses and surrender the remaining reptiles: "You could drop them anywhere, from a Woolworths to a petrol station to our front door. As long as there's a note on them they'll find their way back to us."
