The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Georgia DNR Law Enforcement is looking for the person or persons who poached and killed an endangered Eas
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Georgia DNR Law Enforcement is looking for the person or persons who poached and killed an endangered Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) that was part of the DNR’s research on this species.
Rocky was captured and tagged in November 2020. He was killed February 17. Details of the snake’s death and where he was killed were not revealed. Anyone who has information on the death of Rocky is urged to call the DNR Ranger Hotline at 800-241-4113.
“We can not overstate how disheartening it is when we lose snakes to human persecution and that is why we dedicate ourselves to wildlife conservation,” UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Coastal Ecology Lab posted on Facebook. “Science is a critical part of the solution, but building partnerships and educating people about not killing native animals will be what ultimately creates change. Please keep your eyes and ears open and call the hotline if you can help DNR.”
The Coastal Ecology Lab is working with the Georgia DNR on the Eastern indigo snake study.
The eastern indigo snake is the longest native snake in the United States, sometimes reaching more than 8 feet in length. The snake is a federally threatened species and certain restrictions are in place with regard to possessing them. A member of the Colubridae family, indigo snakes feed on a variety of animals, including small mammals, amphibians, birds, lizards, baby turtles, and other snakes, including every species of venomous snake found in Florida.
Climbing A Tree To Save An Eastern Indigo Snake
