Meet the Eastern Collared Lizard – this unique and striking species boasts a vibrant blue-green body adorned with a contrasting black and white “collar,” making it one of the most visually captivating lizards in the Ozark region.

Unfortunately, in recent decades, the Eastern Collared Lizard has faced significant population declines primarily due to habitat loss. However, in a collaborative effort with several state agencies including Arkansas Game and Fish, Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Central Arkansas, and University of Arkansas Fayetteville, the Little Rock Zoo has played a crucial role in the species’ conservation.

Through habitat restoration initiatives and successful propagation efforts at the Zoo, the team has helped bolster Eastern Collared Lizard populations in a portion of their native range—the picturesque Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. Notably, in June of 2023, the Zoo celebrated a milestone with the release of 43 yearling Eastern Collared Lizards, marking the first successful reintroduction program of its kind in the state’s history. This remarkable effort underscores the importance of protecting and restoring habitats to ensure the survival of this emblematic Arkansas species.