LOS ANGELES ZOO JOINS CRITICAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR NEW MEXICO RIDGE-NOSED RATTLESNAKES

LOS ANGELES ZOO JOINS CRITICAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR NEW MEXICO RIDGE-NOSED RATTLESNAKES

(Credit: © Los Angeles Zoo)

LOS ANGELES, CA - Nov. 1, 2024 - The Los Angeles Zoo joins the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and San Antonio Zoo for Phase I of The Rattlesnake Conservancy's "Project Obscurus," a landmark international recovery program for the federally threatened New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi obscurus). The three zoos will participate in a head-start breeding program 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.

"I am incredibly proud of the collective commitment to this project," said Tony Daly-Crews, Project Obscurus Director at The Rattlesnake Conservancy. "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. Conservation knows no borders, and the support from all involved, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Challenge Grant, has been indispensable."

A documentary short filmed on location during Phase I of Project Obscurus was recently released on YouTube and is now available for viewing.

In August 2024, more than 40 conservation experts convened in Sierra San Luis, Mexico to complete Phase I of "Project Obscurus" which included a collection of wild snakes that will be part of the initial zoo breeding programs at Los Angeles Zoo, San Antonio Zoo, and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Each of the three zoos collected 10 specimens during Phase I which have been transported to the zoo facilities to serve as founders for the breeding program. In doing so, Phase I laid a solid foundation for the recovery project, and all activities have been conducted under appropriate permits in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Several of the snakes have already contributed to the program, with successful births recorded at all three zoos. It is a live bearing species and does not lay eggs. A total of 20 babies have been born so far this year. Once these young snakes mature, they will be candidates for release to the wild in the future.

"Climate change and its impact on fire ecology have had the largest influence on this species' decline in the U.S.," said Andrew Holycross, Ph.D., research associate, The Rattlesnake Conservancy.

"The New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnakes are a high montane species closely linked to specific habitats. Their natural history and ecological role underscore the importance of this project." New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnakes are one of two federally protected species of rattlesnakes in the U.S., which serve important roles in their ecosystem as both predators and sometimes prey. Despite their shy nature and habit of avoiding humans, their numbers have drastically declined in recent decades. "The New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake has been protected for decades but this effort is the first attempt at recovery and may hold the key to the long-term survival for the species in the parts of its range where populations are struggling the most," said Los Angeles Zoo Acting Curator of Ectotherms Byron Wusstig. "The L.A. Zoo has a long, proven track record of successfully reproducing delicate montane pit vipers, similar to the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake. Our role, and that of our zoo partners, is to leverage our expertise, resources, and facilities to care for and manage the breeding of the rattlesnakes so that we can ensure genetic diversity in the population and supplement the wild population with offspring with strong, diverse genetics."

Classified as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake is a small (up to 66 cm in length) montane pit viper species that is usually pale gray to gray-brown and does not have prominent facial markings. It gets its name from the characteristic long triangular head with a sharp, up-turned edge along its upper snout. The back is marked with pale crossbars lined with darker coloration along the front and back edges. Native to Northwest Mexico, the species' historical range includes Arizona and New Mexico.

Led by the Rattlesnake Conservancy, Phase I was made possible by volunteers, researchers, international partners, and a supportive landowner. Partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game & Fish Department, the U.S. Forest Service - Coronado National Forest, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), USGS San Diego Field Station, USGS Fort Collins Science Center, San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, partnering researchers from the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes and the IUCN Viper Specialist Group, animal care teams from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Los Angeles Zoo, and San Antonio Zoo, Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic, Natura Prima, Chiricahua Desert Museum, Rattlesnake Solutions, and many other volunteers.

"I am really proud that this is an international effort to conserve fauna in Mexico and the U.S.," said José Jesús Sigala-Rodríguez, Ph.D, IUCN viper specialist group, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes. "It evolved from conversations with a few key people and now we are using Mexican populations of this species to augment populations in the United States. Science and biodiversity do not recognize boundaries and we should continue to foster partnerships with the best people to help species like the Crotalus willardi obscurus."

More information about "Project Obscurus" and Phase I of the project can be found
at savethebuzztails.org/project-obscurus.

Contact
Tony Daly-Crews/(904) 955-0278
[email protected]

Carl Myers/(323) 644-4273
[email protected]

About the Rattlesnake Conservancy
The Rattlesnake Conservancy is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of rattlesnakes and their habitats. Through research, education, and on the ground conservation programs, we strive to protect these crucial species and their ecosystems.

About the Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is dedicated to providing exemplary animal care and wellbeing. As a trusted leader in local and global conservation efforts, the Los Angeles Zoo is saving wildlife and connecting Angelenos to the natural world by delivering diverse learning opportunities and creating unforgettable experiences. The lush 133-acre campus and its passionate and dedicated team welcomes all to be inspired by the Zoo's vision to create a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together. The Zoo is located on Zoo Drive in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 2 to 12. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A. Zoo website at www.lazoo.org.