As we celebrate the 150^th anniversary of TCU, it seems appropriate to recognize the real-life comeback story of our beloved mascot, the horned frog. The Fort Worth Zoo (FWZ) is working with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to evaluate the methods used to reintroduce captive-hatched Texas horned lizards into formerly occupied habitats of North Texas.  Data from this study is used to facilitate state-wide recovery efforts for the species. Diane Barber will discuss the reintroduction program in Mason, Texas, that will include outcomes and future research. The Fort Worth Zoo is a leader in horned lizard conservation and has reintroduced 808 captive hatched horned lizards since 2011. That gives even more meaning to “Go Frogs!”

Diane Barber is the Senior Curator of Ectotherms at the Fort Worth Zoo. She has worked in the zoo field for 38 years and spearheads many conservation programs at the Zoo including those for native species such as the Texas kangaroo rat, Louisiana pine snake, Houston toad, and Texas horned lizard. She strongly believes that conservation should start in one’s own backyard and endeavors to work with local landowners and governing agencies to find practical means of coexisting and managing resources for wildlife long-term.

Register for Zoom here!