The Hibernation Project

[Catherine]

The Hibernation Project is part of an effort to restore Massasuaga Rattle Snakes to southern Ontario. There might be as few as 12 left and they need help. Artificial hibernation chambers have been set up for the snakes. It is essential that they be able to hibernate.
To test out the chambers they have used Eastern Garter Snakes. They are monitoring them carefully and they will be returned to their
capture point in the spring.
Next winter they will attempt to relocate the Massasuaga Rattle snakes by having them winter in the artificial chambers. In the spring they will emerge in the new location and hopefully settle in and repopulate the area. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/m...-1.5438782

I am impressed by how carefully they are approaching this project. They are not just moving the snakes and hoping for the best. They are making sure that they have a way of surviving at the new site. They are being carefully with the test snakes and will return them unharmed to their normal location.

Relocation animals is always tricky. Reptiles are especially difficult to relocate. Many have a hibernation requirement so the new area has to have a suitable hibernation site. The snakes have to know how to find that site. Having them hibernate and release from the site should solve the relocation issues. Some might even be born in the new site and for them it will be home. I really hope this works.
The Massasuaga Rattle snakes were part of a healthy ecosystem. For it to stay healthy the area needs Massasuagas.