Fort Worth, TX Zoo releases 55 rare snakes into the wild

[bcr229]

Pretty cool! Video of release at link.

https://www.kcentv.com/article/life/...3-d964a80805ea

FORT WORTH, Texas — Fifty-five snakes of a rare breed, which were hatched and raised at the Fort Worth Zoo, were released into the wild, zoo officials said.


The Fort Worth Zoo said it released 55 Louisiana pine snakes in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. The Louisiana pine snake is one of the rarest species of snakes in North America, and the Fort Worth Zoo is one of only four breeding centers for this species, zoo officials said in a release.


It was the zoo's seventh annual release and the most snakes released in one year, they said. The Fort Worth Zoo said two of its partners, Ellen Trout Zoo and Memphis Zoo, were also releasing more snakes this week.


More than 90% of the snake’s historic habitat is gone, making it one of the most endangered snakes in North America, according to the zoo. The species' population is threatened by logging and wood harvesting in its forest habitat.

[Bogertophis]

I don't know whether to be happy or sad? Happy for the release, sure, but if 90+% of their habitat is gone, it doesn't really bode that well for them, does it?

And the link isn't working...

[bcr229]

I corrected the link. Oops.

I don't know how timber is handled in Louisiana, if it's clear-cut or selectively cut, or if there is an effort to replant the timber and harvest in a few years (decades?) so more habitat will be available.

Also I see ads for them pop up on Fauna occasionally (permit required or in-state sale only due to their status) so there are other breeders working with them.

[Bogertophis]

Link still isn't working?

Try this (THIS works): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGozrtLp5Z8

[bcr229]

Finally got the link fixed. I had to actually use the link function instead of just pasting the URL text, which typically works.