A project to save a threatened lizard in Ecuador!

The Orcés Blue Whiptail (Holcosus orcesi) is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. It was thought to be extinct until some individuals of this species were found near our Yunguilla Reserve, Azuay province. Thanks to this incredible rediscovery, our partner ZGAP financed a project for ex-situ reproduction and possible reintroduction of this species.

Our Tropical Herping colleagues are looking for new populations of this species within and around the reserve. Six individuals have already been found and were transferred to the reproduction program at our partners the Amaru Zoo in Cuenca. Saving this species is a race against time; the expansion of the agricultural area and the creation of new roads put at risk its survival.