Killbear - Toronto Zoo

Killbear
Eastern Massasauga Road-crossing Action Plan
Background
•
Eastern Massasauga listed as Threatened by COSEWIC and MNR
•
Canada has ~20% of the species’ global distribution and population
abundance
•
Within Canada, the EMR occurs in 4 ‘populations’ in Ontario, the largest of
which is along eastern Georgian Bay
•
Critical habitat for this snake has been documented in Killbear
•
2003 estimates suggest that there are ~66 female and 43 male snakes in
Killbear
•
The number of neonates estimated to be born in Killbear each year ranges
from 115 – 187
•
From 2002-2006, 48 EMR were found dead on roads within and adjacent to
Killbear
# V is ito rs
Number of Visitors to Killbear (2002-05)
400000
350000
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
2002
2003
2004
Year
2005
Numbers of Road-killed Snakes at Killbear (2002-06)
20
18
16
# K ille d
14
12
Eastern Milksnake
10
Eastern Foxsnake
Eastern Massasauga
8
6
4
2
0
In Park
Adjacent t o
In Park
Adjacent t o
Park
2002
In Park
Adjacent t o
Park
2003
In Park
Adjacent t o
Park
2004
Year
In Park
Adjacent t o
Park
2005
Park
2006
Goal
–
to minimize and / or eliminate Eastern Massasauga mortality along
two sections of road in Killbear
Objectives
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
install temporary speed bumps until the eco-passage can be installed
educate park staff and users about objectives
locking gates to and/or closing high mortality roads
posting signs on road gates
imposing low speed limits on specific roads at specific times of year
and day
increase the visibility of existing “Please Brake for Snakes” signs
install barriers along high mortality sections of selected roads
install an eco-passage on the Kilcoursie Bay day use road
The goal and objectives of this plan will contribute to goals identified in
the Massasauga Recovery Plan
Figure courtesy of J. Rouse (2003)
1,400 m of
fence + 6 m of
tunnel =
~$100,000
Monitoring
• Sand substrates placed at strategic
locations along fences and in the ecopassages is an inexpensive method
• Cover objects placed along fences can
also be periodically checked
• Sensors that detect and record PIT tagged
animals that cross over them can be
installed in the eco-passage
Questions?