500 garter snakes returned to Boundary Bay after rock-dike repairs, Report

Hundreds of snakes that were rescued last month after their hibernation den was disturbed by construction have now been returned to the wild.

Buckets of the slithering serpents were released Sunday to an area near the shores of Boundary Bay in Delta.

The first 12 snakes arrived at the wildlife centre on Feb. 25 and another 500 or so were delivered the next day after rubble and rocks were removed from the Boundary Bay Dike works near Beach Grove.

Concerned residents reported the possible presence of hibernating snakes prior to the start of the repair work so SNC-Lavalin Inc applied for permits from the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to allow for their removal.

According to Gordon White of the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, 95 per cent of the snakes survived the ordeal. Most quickly went back into hibernation, but a few suffered injuries and were treated by Wildlife Rescue rehabilitation staff. Some of the injured snakes are still receiving treatment and will be released at a later date.

The association says the return of the snakes will allow them to wake up from hibernation in a familiar location. Researchers have tagged the snakes and plan to track their progress for the rest of the year.

Agencies/Canadajournal