LA Zoo works with Arizona museum and Texas zoo to save threatened rattlesnake
The Los Angeles Zoo is working with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and San Antonio Zoo in an effort called the Project Obscurus that aims to help recover the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake — a species that is federally threatened.
Formally known as the Crotalus willardi obscurus, the snakes are critically endangered, so in August a group of 40 conservation experts met in Mexico to launch breeding efforts at the Los Angeles Zoo, San Antonio Zoo and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Byron Wusstig, L.A. Zoo Acting Curator of Reptiles, weighing a zoo-born NM Ridge-nosed rattlesnake offspring. (Photo by Jamie Pham, Courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo)
Acting Curator of Reptiles, Byron Wusstig, weighing Ridgenose Rattlesnakes Quarantine. (Photo by Jamie Pham, Courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo)
New Mexico Ridge-nose rattlesnake. (Photo by Jamie Pham, Courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo)
An adult NM Ridge-nosed rattlesnake being transferred into a freshly cleaned habitat. (Photo by Jamie Pham, Courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo)
New Mexico Ridge-nose rattlesnake. (Photo by Jamie Pham, Courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo)
1 of 5
Byron Wusstig, L.A. Zoo Acting Curator of Reptiles, weighing a zoo-born NM Ridge-nosed rattlesnake offspring. (Photo by Jamie Pham, Courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo)
Each of the three zoos collected 10 specimens during the first phase of a breeding program that Rattlesnake Conservancy says will “be aimed at bolstering and diversifying the genetics of the U.S. populations of this rattlesnake through selective managed breeding and eventual release of offspring into their native habitat.”
If you enjoy bird watching, try making a competitive game out of it
“I am incredibly proud of the collective commitment to this project,” said Tony Daly-Crews, Project Obscurus director at the Rattlesnake Conservancy based in Florida in a prepared statement. “This is the largest assisted migration effort ever undertaken for a rattlesnake species, and I believe it will be pivotal in recovering the U.S. population.” Florida has a native population of rattlesnakes include the Eastern Diamondbacks.
A documentary short filmed on location about Project Obscurus is on YouTube and available for viewing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9QanbNhpiQ.
Texas Offers 1,402 Acres to Trump for Mass Deportation Facilities, “Tip of the Iceberg” News Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham purchased a 1,402-acre plot of land on the Rio Grande for $3.8 million in October. The state is currently building a mile-long wall on the property, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. NBC News reports that Buckingham, a former…
Severe delays on three Underground lines after works overrun and leaves on rails News Not a great start for the morning commute in London (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images) Three lines on the London Underground are facing serious delays this morning. The Metropolitan line has severe delays between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Uxbridge, westbound only, after a signal fault earlier this morning. The Piccadilly line…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok