Hopeful Release: 21 Snakes Return to Wild

In a significant conservation success, 21 threatened narrow-headed gartersnakes were released into Arizona's Tonto National Forest in May 2026. This effort, a collaboration involving the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix Zoo, and the University of Arizona, aims to combat the decline of this species. Habitat loss and invasive species have severely impacted their populations, leading to their threatened status under the Endangered Species Act.

The Phoenix Zoo has been a key player in this program, raising gartersnakes in captivity since 2009. To date, the zoo has released a total of 118 snakes into the wild. These snakes are released into riparian areas with year-round flowing water, crucial for their fish-based diet. Climate change and invasive crayfish pose ongoing threats to their habitat and food sources.

Researchers from the University of Arizona will monitor the 21 newly released snakes using implanted pit tags. This technology will track their movements and life cycles, providing valuable data on their adaptation to the wild. Conservationists express optimism, noting the species' resilience and the program's success in re-establishing snakes in areas where they had disappeared.