Lethbridge rattlesnake conservation project : 2003 progress report /

Abstract

Conservation efforts for the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus) in Lethbridge were initiated in 2000 and continued through 2003. The focus has been on educating the public to reduce human/snake conflicts and on the capture and moving of problem and vulnerable rattlesnakes to more secure habitat. During the summer of 2003, twenty-three rattlesnakes were captured and moved to the Cottonwood Park hibernaculum and another was captured and moved to Popson Park. Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags were implanted in the captured rattlesnakes for long-term identification and monitoring. Telemetry transmitters were attached externally to the rattles of eight rattlesnakes prior to their release. Subsequently, rattlesnake dispersal, movements, and habitat use were monitored using radio telemetry. Due to problems with the radio transmitters staying attached, a very limited amount of movement data was collected. Data collected was used to test the hypothesis that if rattlesnakes hibernate successfully at the artificial hibernaculum in Cottonwood Park, they will adopt Cottonwood Park as their home range and return in subsequent years to hibernate. Results indicated that 3 of the 8 rattlesnakes released from the Cottonwood Park hibernaculum in spring 2003 returned to the enclosure in the fall. This was similar to results of 2002. Continued efforts to provide public education, respond quickly to calls for problem rattlesnake removal, and to maintain the participation and cooperation of all interested groups and citizens will be necessary for conserving a prairie rattlesnake population in Lethbridge.