Photo of the Month

Anne Lewis, President of the Six Mile Lake Conservationsist Club, in Six Mile Lake, Ontario sent this photo:

"This is threatened species Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. I took this picture when I was doing a review of an environmental study that I disagreed with because it stated that the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake was not in the area of impact of a proposed cottage road. I not only located this and 12 other Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes but 4 other species at risk. After four years of negotiations with the cottagers and the OMNR some of my mitigation recommendations are in the contract and have set a president in Ontario. The road is under construction but can only be built from November 1 to February 28, and will be renewed each year until it is completed. This condition will protect the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake from the impact of construction in a 400 meter travel corridor during its migration, foraging and gestation. There are five other species at risk identified but the road is under construction...

"Loss of habitat and road kill are the main reasons why these species are listed at risk and on the road to extiction. Yet we continue to allow roads to be constructed in their habitat. It is my opinion that no mitigation measures will prevent Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes from being killed on this road."