An eastern Nile snake has been sighted in Alabama for the second time in more than 60 years. This species is considered one of the largest native snakes in the United States and has been extinct since 1950. The found snake represents the success of a breeding program carried out in the US state.
The reintroduction project is a joint effort between Auburn University, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the US Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners.
“The snakes found indicate that some Niles are flourishing and breeding as a result of this project, exactly what we wanted! Reminiscent of the Alabama Division of Freshwater Fish and Wildlife.”
The reintroduction began in 2006, initiated by a team of conservationists who began breeding the snakes in captivity. The snakes of the breed were captured in Georgia, USA. In 2010, the first captive population reptile was released in the Connecuh National Forest in southern Alabama.
The success of reproduction is confirmed, as the discovery of wild-born snakes means that snakes released from captivity have survived and are breeding.
“This is an excellent indicator that the snakes we release that were bred in captivity are able to function and reproduce like wild snakes,” explained Jim Godwin, an animal biologist with the Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Administered by Auburn University Museum of Natural History.
*CNN Brazil information
