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Audubon Zoo and the U.S. Forestry Service teamed up final month in an effort to preserve and rebuild populations of an endangered species solely present in Louisiana.

In response to a information launch, the group of Audubon Zoo conservationists launched six uncommon Louisiana pine snakes into the Kisatchie Nationwide Forest close to Alexandria. Every snake was implanted with a microchip by biologists.

“Collaborations like this program are very important to the profitable preservation of this species. Partnering with different zoos means we are able to improve the numbers of those endangered snakes launched, share info and be taught from one another as we increase this conservation effort,” Dr. Steven Whitfield, director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation at Audubon Nature Institute, stated in a information launch. “This program is particularly significant as it’s totally supported by Audubon Nature Institute. When friends buy a ticket to get pleasure from a day at Audubon Zoo, they’re contributing to this vital conservation effort.”

The microchips are stated to play a significant position in monitoring the snakes’ actions, and verifying lineage retrieved close to the discharge website via DNA testing of shed pores and skin.

The six snakes hatched final yr at Audubon Zoo as a part of the Louisiana Pine Snake Restoration Program. Companions within the initiative consists of Audubon Zoo, the U.S. Forestry Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fort Price Zoo

“It’s really rewarding to see our herpetology group’s efforts and perseverance come to fruition and see animals hatched at our zoo launched to the wild in a bid to avoid wasting this irreplaceable species,” Robert Mendyk, curator of herpetology for Audubon Zoo, stated in a information launch. “Packages like this are central to the objectives and mission of accredited zoos and aquariums and illustrate the numerous methods during which they contribute to a unified method to wildlife conservation.”

The herpetology division at Audubon Zoo oversees a colony of those uncommon snakes at a devoted reptile home the place they’re skilled for months earlier than their launch to foster survival mechanisms.

“Attending to launch a threatened species again into the wild is a testomony to how vital AZA-accredited services are,” Mitch Wehrle, senior herpetology keeper at Audubon Zoo, stated in a information launch.

The U.S. Forestry Service’s group of biologists discovered probably the most appropriate microhabitats for the discharge of the snakes the place gopher burrows and underground shelters are key. Longleaf pine habitats are being refurbished all through the state for his or her survival.

“Being a part of direct conservation in vital as a result of it helps shield species and habitats that the individuals of Louisiana can proceed to get pleasure from,” Mallory McKinney, herpetology keeper at Audubon Zoo, stated in a information launch.

Over the past twenty years, Audubon Zoo is understood to have hatched 120 Louisiana pine snakes complete.