San Mateo County Snake Release
Sixty-two endangered San Francisco garter snakes raised in captivity were released into areas of San Mateo County, the San Francisco Zoo announced on Nov. 10, SFGATE reported.
Only about 2,000 of the reptiles are estimated to remain in the wild. The snakes are found exclusively in this Bay Area region and small portions of Santa Cruz County.
The species has faced existential threats over the decades. It depends on a fragmented ecosystem and struggles with drought, disease, vehicle strikes, poachers, and invasive species.
Despite these pressures, more than 1,000 of the snakes have been documented over the years at San Francisco International Airport. The species has been listed as endangered since 1967 and was among the first protected by the Endangered Species Act.
Years of Collaboration and Habitat Work Support Snake Release
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment for everyone who has worked for generations to protect this remarkable species,” Karine Tokatlian, a biologist with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, said in the Nov. 10 announcement.
Tokatlian said that the release represents years of collaboration and habitat work. “Seeing these young snakes returning to the wild represents years of research, collaboration, habitat restoration and careful conservation work,” she said, adding that it marks an important step toward building sustainable populations.
San Francisco Garter Snake FAQ
Why is the San Francisco garter snake endangered?
The snakes depend on a unique and fragmented ecosystem. They have faced severe pressure from habitat loss, drought, disease, vehicle strikes, poachers, and invasive species.
Where do these reptiles live?
They are native only to the San Francisco Bay Area and small portions of Santa Cruz County. Populations have also been documented over the years at San Francisco International Airport.
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