Photo: San Antonio Zoo
The San Antonio Zoo is receiving national recognition for successfully breeding an endangered gecko. The Psychedelic Rock Gecko lives only on two tiny Vietnamese islands, where just 500 adult specimens survive in the wild. No other Zoo in the U.S. has successfully bred hatchlings until the San Antonio Zoo welcomed 11 baby geckos this year. The Zoological Association of America presented the Zoo with the National Excellence in Breeding award.
“We are proud of the Ectotherms Team at San Antonio Zoo for these successful hatchings,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “It is because of their experience, knowledge, and dedication that the Psychedelic Rock Gecko is getting a fighting chance again. To the team, this is more than an award but a path to securing a future for this beautiful species. Stop by and visit them in the Reptile House!”
Psychedelic Rock Geckos are an endangered species found only on two tiny islands off the most southerly tip of Vietnam. An estimated 500 mature individuals are left in the wild, with many challenges to their habitat. These threats include habitat loss due to human conflict with the development of roads and the introduction of the invasive predator, the macaque. San Antonio Zoo is the only known accredited institution to reproduce this species after receiving them from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are a relatively recent discovery, only being scientifically described in 2010. Guests can visit the Psychedelic Rock Gecko in the Reptile House at San Antonio Zoo.
Photo: San Antonio Zoo