Our Genetic Preservation Project is inspired by the work of Frank Payne of Living Art by Frank Payne, and his efforts with Cophotis dumbara, the Knuckles Mountain Pygmy Lizard. Extensive deforestation in their native range has pushed this species to critical endangerment, leaving wild populations fragmented and genetically at risk.

Unlike traditional conservation, which focuses on habitat protection and population size, genetic preservation safeguards the diversity and integrity of a species itself. As a CITES Appendix II species that is no longer imported into the United States, the future of C. dumbara in human care depends entirely on the responsible stewardship of existing bloodlines.

By prioritizing lineage tracking, genetic diversity, and ethical breeding, we are not simply keeping animals alive. We are preserving the genetic foundation that allows this species to remain healthy, resilient, and viable for generations to come.