Images courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo has reached another important milestone in its efforts to protect one of the Lone Star State’s most recognizable native animals.
The zoo’s Center for Conservation & Research (CCR) recently rescued 30 Texas horned lizards, including 26 hatchlings, from a private property scheduled for agricultural work. The rescue is part of the San Antonio Zoo’s ongoing Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project, an ambitious effort to protect existing populations and restore the species across its historic Texas range.
For Texans who remember seeing these distinctive reptiles—often affectionately called “horny toads”—in backyards, fields and open spaces, the rescue is also an encouraging sign for the future of a species that has become increasingly difficult to find.
A Texas Landowner Helps Give Horned Lizards a Second Chance
The rescue began when a private landowner preparing a field for agricultural use realized that the property was home to a population of Texas horned lizards.
Rather than moving forward without considering the wildlife on the property, the landowner contacted San Antonio Zoo’s Center for Conservation & Research.
With work planned for the field, the CCR team safely collected the animals before the habitat could be disturbed. The 30 rescued lizards will now have an opportunity to contribute to the zoo’s conservation program before eventually returning to the wild.
The story demonstrates just how important private landowners can be to wildlife conservation in Texas. Unlike conservation efforts confined to parks and protected areas, protecting species with large historic ranges often requires cooperation among scientists, wildlife agencies and Texans who manage private property.
“We are so grateful to the landowners for reaching out to us and recognizing the impact that fond memories of growing up with an abundance of Texas horned lizards can have in shaping conservation habits today,” said Bekky Muscher-Hodges, Manager of the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo.
Muscher-Hodges added that the rescued lizards will introduce new genetics into the reintroduction program, describing the effort as “Texans helping Texans secure a future for a Texas icon.”
What Happened to Texas’ Horned Lizards?
Few animals are as closely associated with Texas as the Texas horned lizard.
Their flattened bodies, prominent horns and unusual appearance made them a familiar sight across much of the state for generations. But populations have declined significantly.
According to San Antonio Zoo, several factors have contributed to that decline, including habitat loss, pesticide use and invasive species such as red imported fire ants.
That makes finding a property supporting numerous horned lizards—and especially hatchlings—particularly important for conservation researchers.
And the recent rescue may not be finished yet.
Images courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo Will Return to Search for More Lizards
San Antonio Zoo’s conservation team plans to return to the property several times in September to search for additional Texas horned lizards before agricultural work begins.
Each return visit could provide another opportunity to locate animals that might otherwise be affected when the land is disturbed.
“Conservation doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens through partnerships,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo.
Morrow said the landowner’s decision to prioritize wildlife created an opportunity to protect the lizards and give them a better chance of thriving, adding that stories like this demonstrate how individuals can play an important role in wildlife conservation.
Inside the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project
The rescue is part of a much larger effort underway at San Antonio Zoo.
The Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project is led by the zoo’s Center for Conservation & Research in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Zoo Miami and private landowners throughout Texas.
The project combines several conservation strategies, including:
- Habitat management
- Scientific research
- Captive propagation
- Strategic releases into the wild
Together, those efforts are designed to establish healthy populations of Texas horned lizards within areas where the species historically lived.
The newly rescued animals could make an especially valuable contribution. Because they come from an existing wild population, they can introduce additional genetic diversity into the reintroduction program—an important consideration when conservationists are working toward healthy, sustainable populations.
Conservation Close to Home at San Antonio Zoo
For visitors, stories like this are a reminder that the work of a modern zoo extends well beyond the animals seen during a day at the park.
San Antonio Zoo’s Center for Conservation & Research works on wildlife conservation projects while the zoo itself combines animal care, conservation and education. San Antonio Zoo welcomes more than one million visitors annually and has been operating since 1914.
The rescue of these 30 horned lizards offers a particularly Texas example of that work: scientists, a private landowner and conservation partners working together to help ensure that a once-common native animal remains part of the state’s landscape.
And with researchers heading back into the field to look for more lizards, the story may not be over yet.
Plan a Visit to San Antonio Zoo
Want to learn more about the zoo behind this Texas conservation effort?
Visit the San Antonio Zoo guide on TexasZoos.com for information to help plan your visit and discover more about one of Texas’ best-known zoological destinations.
From seeing wildlife up close to learning about conservation programs helping species beyond the zoo’s gates, a visit offers another way for Texans to connect with the animals—and conservation stories—found in their own state.
