A snake, identified as an Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, was discovered dead on a road in Windsor last week, dealing a significant blow to conservation efforts for the species in the region. The deceased snake, known as “Gordo,” had been part of a program aimed at revitalizing the dwindling population of Massasauga rattlesnakes in Windsor-Essex.
The body of the snake was found on Matchett Road after what appeared to be a fatal encounter with a vehicle. Gordo, who had been bred in captivity and released into the wild earlier this year as part of a collaboration with the Toronto Zoo, was equipped with an electronic transmitter to monitor his movements.
Unfortunately, Gordo was found flattened on the road, with broken pieces of the transmitter discovered among the remains. The incident underscores the ongoing threat that roadways pose to local wildlife, with more than 80 reptiles from six species already reported as roadkill this fall.
Jonathan Choquette, a biologist with Wildlife Preservation Canada, emphasized the need for additional protective measures on roads like Matchett Road to prevent further wildlife casualties. Choquette stressed the importance of investing in barriers to safeguard endangered species like the Massasauga rattlesnake, which is considered the most endangered reptile in Essex County.
