The lifeless body of a snake was discovered on a Windsor street last week, dealing a significant blow to conservation efforts for the species in the area. Jonathan Choquette, a biologist from Wildlife Preservation Canada, revealed that the deceased snake was an Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, a species teetering on the edge of extinction in Windsor-Essex.
This particular snake, known as “Gordo,” had been nurtured from birth in captivity and released into the wild earlier this year in an attempt to enhance the local population of Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes. Tragically, Gordo’s body was found on Matchett Road after what appears to have been a fatal encounter with a vehicle.
Choquette, who leads the Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery program, expressed disappointment over the loss, emphasizing the importance of replenishing the dwindling population to ensure its sustainability. Gordo was equipped with an electronic transmitter to monitor his movements, with hopes of fostering interactions with other tracked female rattlesnakes.
The discovery of Gordo’s crushed body, along with remnants of the transmitter, underscored the challenges faced by wildlife on local roads. Despite efforts by the City of Windsor to mitigate risks with signs and traffic calming measures, reptile mortality rates persist. Choquette’s team has already recorded over 80 reptile casualties from six species this fall, projecting a total of 300 by month-end.
Choquette advocates for additional protective measures, such as specialized fencing, to safeguard animals from roadway dangers. He emphasizes the need for governmental support to implement these safeguards, emphasizing the significance of protecting endangered species like the Massasauga rattlesnake in a proposed national urban park.
Despite the risks posed by the venomous nature of Massasauga rattlesnakes, Choquette points out that the species remains crucial to the ecological balance in the region. The conservationist calls for collective action to preserve these reptiles and underscores the importance of valuing and protecting the natural world.
