tyflier
[Insert Witty Commentary]
When I first started the Eastern Sierra Herpetology Club, one of the first things I wanted to accomplish was to establish ourselves as a legitimate club with a positive, community-oriented purpose here in the Eastern Sierra. Through conservation and education efforts, I wanted the club to be recognized as a vital source of information and assistance to members of the community.
One way in which I thought the club would be very beneficial to both the community and the environment, was to offer a free Rattlesnake Removal and Relocation service. The first step was clarifying the regulations of the DFG to make sure this was legal…which it is, as long as we do not take the snakes into captivity for any length of time before releasing them.
The second step was to get the word out. Now…Bishop, CA is a rancher’s paradise. Acres and acres of desert butted up agains the most beautiful mountain slope in the country. Most people in this area take care of rattlesnake issues on their own, but that is mainly out of necessity.
I talked with the local Sheriff’s Dispatch at the very beginning of the season this spring, and gave them my phone number. Animal Control will not respond to rattlesnake calls, and the Sheriffs and Deputies typically resort to snake-slugs and killing. My phone number gives them another option.
This past Friday was the first call from the Sheriff’s Department. They contacted me, and said they had a rattlesnake issue, and would I be interested in helping. I got the citizen’s phone number and called her, and made arrangements to meet ASAP.
I contacted a couple friends and members as backup, and we headed out to find a rattlesnake.
In the bucket, just prior to release
The home we were at had been vacant for some time, and a pile of old doors and plywood had been stacked near the entrance. Of course…this is where the snake was seen. Sure enough, pulling back a few pounds of plywood, I saw this gorgeous adult Panamint. It’s tail was damaged, and it was in a bad mood, but otherwise unharmed, and apparently healthy.
I was dealing with the snake, so unfortunately, I don’t have any photos of the actual capture, but here are a few photos of the snake during the release:
We took this gorgeous snake across the highway, out into the desert, far from homes and people. We stayed in close proximity to where we removed the snake…within 5 miles…and we released this gorgeous critter into the desert, where there are TONS of rodents and Kangaroo Rats, and a couple of permanent bodies of water within easy slithering distance. After we got some pictures and let her go on her way…she slithered off into the brush, and settled in to her new home.
Hopefully, this is just the first call in a new relationship between the Eastern Sierra Herpetology Club and the Inyo County Sherriff’s Department. Hopefully, we can work together to get these animals safely removed from dangerous situations…for both the snake AND the people they encounter.
Thanks for reading!
One way in which I thought the club would be very beneficial to both the community and the environment, was to offer a free Rattlesnake Removal and Relocation service. The first step was clarifying the regulations of the DFG to make sure this was legal…which it is, as long as we do not take the snakes into captivity for any length of time before releasing them.
The second step was to get the word out. Now…Bishop, CA is a rancher’s paradise. Acres and acres of desert butted up agains the most beautiful mountain slope in the country. Most people in this area take care of rattlesnake issues on their own, but that is mainly out of necessity.
I talked with the local Sheriff’s Dispatch at the very beginning of the season this spring, and gave them my phone number. Animal Control will not respond to rattlesnake calls, and the Sheriffs and Deputies typically resort to snake-slugs and killing. My phone number gives them another option.
This past Friday was the first call from the Sheriff’s Department. They contacted me, and said they had a rattlesnake issue, and would I be interested in helping. I got the citizen’s phone number and called her, and made arrangements to meet ASAP.
I contacted a couple friends and members as backup, and we headed out to find a rattlesnake.
In the bucket, just prior to release
The home we were at had been vacant for some time, and a pile of old doors and plywood had been stacked near the entrance. Of course…this is where the snake was seen. Sure enough, pulling back a few pounds of plywood, I saw this gorgeous adult Panamint. It’s tail was damaged, and it was in a bad mood, but otherwise unharmed, and apparently healthy.
I was dealing with the snake, so unfortunately, I don’t have any photos of the actual capture, but here are a few photos of the snake during the release:
We took this gorgeous snake across the highway, out into the desert, far from homes and people. We stayed in close proximity to where we removed the snake…within 5 miles…and we released this gorgeous critter into the desert, where there are TONS of rodents and Kangaroo Rats, and a couple of permanent bodies of water within easy slithering distance. After we got some pictures and let her go on her way…she slithered off into the brush, and settled in to her new home.
Hopefully, this is just the first call in a new relationship between the Eastern Sierra Herpetology Club and the Inyo County Sherriff’s Department. Hopefully, we can work together to get these animals safely removed from dangerous situations…for both the snake AND the people they encounter.
Thanks for reading!
Good Job!! 
