SGA can’t donate horned frog
The Fort Worth Zoo said they are not sure if they will be permitted to accept funds raised by the Student Government Association to help purchase a new horned frog because it is against state law to possess, sell, trade or take one from the wild.
By Jill Meninger
Staff Reporter

The Student Government Association still plans to raise funds for the Fort Worth Zoo, even if they are not for a new horned frog, SGA community service coordinator Jose Luis Hernandez said Monday.

Zoo officials said last week that SGA could not legally donate a live horned frog, citing Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife regulations. The zoo’s horned frog died this summer in a fire.

Texas horned lizards are classified by the agency as a threatened species, meaning it is illegal to possess, sell, trade or take one of the reptiles from the wild.

Lyndsay Nantz, a communications manager for the zoo, said nothing has been confirmed yet on how the zoo will purchase a horned frog or if a replacement will even be purchased.

“Because of the insurance policies, I can’t really comment,” said Nantz, adding that the zoo would be open to SGA donating funds for the horned frog’s food if one is bought.

Hernandez said they are not sure where the funds will come from, but if zoo officials tell them they cannot donate money toward replacing a new horned frog, they will still try to donate money to the zoo for other purposes.

“SGA has not heard any official comments from the Fort Worth Zoo,” Hernandez said.

A proposed purchase of a horned frog was part of SGA’s goal for a new philanthropy project to get students involved with community service, Hernandez said. He said SGA members thought the zoo would be a great resource for their project.

Hernandez said SGA never told the zoo they planned on donating a horned frog because they were aware that the animal was threatened and could not be purchased. He said SGA had planned on raising funds to help the zoo get another horned frog.

Editor in Chief Brandon Ortiz contributed to this report.