In 2020, the unique, northern-clade population of Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizards (Gambelia sila) on Panoche Plateau declined to less than 10 individuals. We received emergency permission to collect 5 animals in 2020 and 2 animals in 2021 to found an assurance colony at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. We successfully bred these animals, producing >100 offspring in three years, and released 17 ~10-month old animals back to Panoche Plateau in 2023. Each animal was radio-collared and regularly monitored throughout the 2023 active season. Although lizards displayed high survival (41% confirmed survival, and 47% slipped collars with no sign of predation), they moved and grew little compared to wild animals, and they did not reproduce. We discuss potential causes for minimal movement and growth and changes we are implementing to our protocols to improve success moving forward. We will continue releasing and monitoring G. sila annually until >50 natural-born female G. sila successfully reproduce for at least 2 years, at which point we think the population will be able to self-sustain and grow to carrying capacity.

Dr. Rory Telemeco is Director of Conservation Science at Fresno Chaffee Zoo and an Assistant Professor of Biology at California State University, Fresno. Rory received his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Iowa State University and his MS and BS degrees in Biology from the University of Central Oklahoma. He completed post-docs at the University of Washington and Auburn University, before coming to Fresno in 2017. Rory is broadly interested in ecological and evolutionary responses of organisms (especially reptiles) to changing environments and using this information to improve conservation management.