CAPTIVE CONSERVATION Accomplishments in 2012
Photo Credit: Chris Jenkins
• Implemented maintenance and development of Eastern Indigo Snake breeding colony with first hatching July 2012. The colony of 45 individuals is being developed for captive propagation for reintroduction programs. This was the fourth year the OCIC has contributed Indigos for the Conecuh National Forest Indigo Reintroduction Program. • In a partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Evans County Wildlife Club, in March 2013 we participated by bringing 20 live adult rattlesnakes for exhibit and presented snake conservation talks supporting the conversion from “roundup” to “festival”. • Established select startup colonies of endangered snake species including Louisiana Pine Snake, Mexican Pygmy Rattlesnake, Bushmaster and the Chinese Mangshan Viper. • Implemented first full year of veterinary coverage provided by University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zoological Medicine Program with scheduled field visits to the OCIC and cases transported to UF Small Animal Clinic, Gainesville, FL. • Continued to promote snake conservation messages by traveling to meetings and events, presenting our “Saving the Eastern Indigo Snake” and “Snakes of Central Florida” program, as well as our on-site program “Explore the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation”. During 2012, these combined programs reached over 13,000 people in 10 separate events.
Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)
Goals for CAPTIVE CONSERVATION in 2013 • Acquisition of Eastern Indigo Snakes from the gulf region of Florida to bolster genetic representation in the OCIC colony. These individuals will be important in the production of offspring to be released in Florida panhandle reintroduction sites. • Continue to research health issues of Indigo Snakes both in captivity and in the field. • Publish the third edition of the American Zoo and Aquarium (AZA) Studbook for the Eastern Indigo Snake, Species Survival Plan. • Construct more outdoor Indigo enclosures for the Indigo colony. • Build up numbers and the genetic diversity of the snake species in our assurance colonies. • Continue facility upgrades and removal of invasive plant species.
Eastern Indigo Snake eggs. Photo Credit: Fred Antonio
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