Summit County Citizens Voice

An eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

Species may be headed toward extinction in the Southeast

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Snakes may not be the most popular critters on Earth, but they play a critical role in many ecosystems,

But because of the generally negative perception people have, there are still such things as snake roundups, events that, even in this age of growing enlightenment about animal rights and biodiversity, still glorify killing wild animals for sport.

The Center for Biological Diversity is tackling the issue by criticizing the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for issuing a wildlife exhibition permit for a rattlesnake roundup held March 12 in Evans County. State law limits those permits to educational events, but officials issued the permit anyway, drawing the ire of the watchdog group.

By drawing public attention to the roundups, the group hopes to raise awareness that eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are being pushed toward extinction. Several other groups joined in the criticism, including One More Generation, the Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy, and Protecting All Living Species.

“Roundups, which persecute and exploit Georgia’s wildlife, are obviously not solely for educational purposes,” said Tierra Curry, a biologist at the center.

“Rattlesnake roundups” are annual contests where hunters bring in as many snakes as they can catch in a year to be milked for venom, butchered, then sold for meat and skin. Two roundups take place every year in Georgia, one in Whigham in January, the other in Claxton in March.

“The Department of Natural Resources is charged with protecting Georgia’s resources for future generations, not with endorsing the unlimited hunting of one of our state’s rare species,” said Jim Ries, community director at One More Generation, which was founded by two elementary students in Georgia.

“The Georgia legislature never intended for this law to be used to justify the removal of animals from the wild for entertainment purposes. By issuing this permit the agency is contributing to the impending destruction of this species,” said Bill Matturro, founder of Protecting All Living Species, based in south Georgia.

A recently published study shows that rattlesnake roundups have depleted populations of eastern diamondback rattlesnakes in the southeastern United States. This once-common species is being pushed toward extinction by hunting pressure, habitat loss and road mortality.

The snake hasn’t been seen in Louisiana since 1980, and is now uncommon throughout its range in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and the Carolinas. In response to dwindling rattlesnake populations, public pressure and environmental concerns, the town of Fitzgerald, Ga., replaced its rattlesnake roundup with a wild chicken festival, which organizers report has been an enormous success.

“All rattlesnake roundups should be replaced with festivals celebrating wildlife and offering educational programs on the importance of saving native species,” said Dr. Bruce Means, author of the recent study and executive director of the Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy.

Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, wildlife Tagged: | Center for Biological Diversity, Crotalus atrox, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Environment, rattlesnake roundups, rattlesnakes, Summit County News, wildlife