The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on its recovery plan for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. The snake has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 2016. State officials say Michigan has the largest population of massasaugas, but disappearing wetlands are jeopardizing its habitat.
Amy Bleisch is the DNR’s endangered species coordinator. She’s hopeful the state can help ensure the long-term viability of the snake.
"I feel very positive about massasaugas and what we can do for them in Michigan, we feel like we have a lot of opportunities to conserve them," she says.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces recovery plans for endangered and threatened species, hoping to help them survive in the wild on their own. Public comments are due to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chicago Field Office by March 27th. You can check out the full draft of the recoveryplan to learn more.
