San Antonio Zoo successfully breeds endangered salamander for first time

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Zoo's Center for Conservation & Research (CRC) made an important announcement Tuesday morning. They have been successful in their attempts to breed the reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) for the very first time by humans. This particular species of salamander just happens to be one of the most endangered salamanders in the world! They have been working towards this goal for more than ten years, so they were thrilled to make this announcement.

This is another exhilarating moment in science for the team,” said Dr. Danté Fenolio, Vice President of Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo. “I am so proud of their hard work, and the challenges they overcame, when working with this species in the lab and then breeding an adult group that had been raised here from newly hatched larvae. This gives us hope for a critically endangered species that is in such a dire position.

These salamanders once lived in three southeastern states: Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The Zoo tells us that now there are only two or three known populations and only one healthy breeding population right in the middle of Elgin Air Force Base in Florida. These salamanders spend the the majority of their time below the ground and breed in ephemeral ponds which are tied to seasonal rains.

This is another incredible accomplishment for our team, and I am so proud of the continued successes the CCR has had in the last 18 months,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO at San Antonio Zoo. “In addition to the reticulated flatwoods salamander, this team of biologists is saving critically endangered species from disappearing such as the Texas blind salamander, Georgia blind salamander, Texas horned lizard, the Mexican blindcat, and Japanese giant salamanders. San Antonians can be very proud of the conservation work of their zoo and this team.

This is a milestone for the San Antonio Zoo CCR, who says these efforts are critical to keep wildlife from slipping into extinction. Because they live secretive lives underground, we know very little about their lifestyle. They do come above ground right before the rainy season to breed and deposit their eggs. When the rain begins and the eggs are fully submerged in water, they start to hatch and transform into their adult form before heading back underground.

To learn more about the zoo's conservation efforts, you can visit their website. CLICK HERE