AssetID: 53116097
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Rare Horned Lizards Reintroduced To Texas Desert
Caption: The San Antonio Zoo's Center for Conservation and Research (CCR) celebrated a significant milestone on Wednesday with the release of 34 Texas horned lizards. These horned lizards, which hatched at CCR during the summer, mark a significant advancement for the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project. The primary objective of the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project is to reintroduce this iconic species to areas where it has vanished. This year's release raises the total number of reintroduced horned lizards to nearly 200, with another release scheduled for later this month. Previous releases have demonstrated that these remarkable creatures are not only surviving but also thriving in their new environment. Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp, Director of the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: "Something I love about this project is not only helping the Texas horned lizard but also providing this opportunity to others. We had volunteers, landowners, partner organizations, and naturalists join us on this release, and seeing their participation and excitement is priceless." Two lizards, believed to be from previous releases, were discovered, along with scat samples. These samples are currently being expedited to Texas Christian University for confirmation through haplotype analysis, providing valuable insights for the project. A juvenile or sub-adult Texas horned lizard was found on the property, indicating successful breeding among the horned lizards released in previous years. An adult lizard was found on an adjacent property across a county road, illustrating that some have dispersed from the release site, aligning with the project's aim of expanding the Texas horned lizard's presence across the landscape. Specially trained dogs assist in detecting any traces of horned lizards, contributing to the continuous monitoring and conservation endeavors. Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo, remarked: "Our team at the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo works tirelessly to save species from extinction. This is a great win for conservation, horny toads, and Texas."
Keywords: San Antonio Zoo,lizard,reptile,features,animals,nature,natural world,video,photo,feature
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