The IRCF is now a partner of Project Heloderma and supporting efforts to prevent the extinction of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard. Fewer than 200 individuals remain in the unique dry forest habitat of the Motagua Valley. The Guatemalan Beaded Lizard is facing extinction due to local extermination and loss of habitat for agricultural purposes. Project Heloderma´s mission is to educate local residents within the valley, secure protected area, and develop a breeding/headstart program to replenish the declining population.

Zootropic´s Project Heloderma is a component of the conservation effort to preserve the Semi-arid Habitat of the Motagua Valley under the NGO leadership of Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, and supported by CONAP (the National Council of Protected Areas), and The Nature Conservancy. Project Heloderma partners include, Zootropic, Fundacion Defensores de la Naturaleza, CONAP, the IRCF, Zoo Atlanta, and San Diego Zoo.

As a partner of Project Heloderma, the IRCF´s mission is to promote the program, conduct fundraising and act as the primary U.S. nonprofit foundation to receive donations/ contributions/grants, and to support specific programs needs within our area of expertise.