Reptiles at Risk

About Reptiles at Risk

Reptiles are the most “at-risk” class of wildlife in Canada, with 79 per cent of taxa classified as endangered, threatened or special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The objectives of our project are to introduce Canadian youth and their families to this misunderstood group of animals, to inspire them to be concerned about the animals’ conservation, to challenge them to discover solutions to the threats posed to these species, and to highlight possible career trajectories in the natural sciences. These objectives will be achieved through the interactive, hands-on programs provided to participants in our programs.

The intent of this collaborative project is to conduct programs nation-wide, with a focus on regions that are home to reptile species that are at risk. Programs will be conducted across the prairie provinces during the summer of 2006 and across eastern Canada during the summer and fall of 2007, with programs provided in under-serviced areas of Ontario during the spring, early summer, and fall of both years. Programs will be conducted in Alberta and British Columbia during the summer of 2008.

This project is a partnership between three organizations, all highly regarded in their fields: Laurentian University, the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network (CARCNET), and Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Laurentian University

Laurentian University has a strong focus on the life sciences, with a personal and dedicated approach to education and learning. On the research front, the university has conducted three decades of world-renowned, solutions-oriented research on restoring damaged ecosystems. Its professors, researchers and staff also conduct cutting-edge research in many scientific fields, and in mining, culture, history and health.

Laurentian has a history of partnering with other organizations to achieve tremendous results. In 1974, for example, the school partnered with the local community, industry and government to launch a grassroots reclamation program to reverse the effects of emissions on lakes and forests. This program won a United Nations award at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992.

Dr. Jacqueline Litzgus, the primary partner from Laurentian University, has been involved in research on species-at-risk reptiles for over 10 years, in both Canada and the United States. She combines her research and teaching so that her students gain a hands-on education experience. Her research has included extensive field studies of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata), an endangered species in Canada, and this work has resulted in nine publications in peer-reviewed journals. Litzgus’s work also includes physiological studies, developing COSEWIC status reports, and now creating and teaching a herpetology course at Laurentian.

Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network (CARCNET)

CARCNET is a registered charitable organization of researchers, technicians, naturalists, educators and other parties interested in the conservation of Canada’s herpetofauna. It includes Canada’s leading scientists in this field from post-secondary institutions, the Canadian Wildlife Service, provincial natural resources ministries, and independent consultants. The excellence of CARCNET’s individual members is unquestionable, and the strength of the network as a whole is exceptional. One of its core missions is “to undertake public education programs and community projects that further public awareness and advance knowledge of the conservation biology of amphibian and reptile populations in Canada.”

Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Sciensational Sssnakes!! has been presenting programs about reptiles and amphibians since 1994, making it Ontario’s longest running reptile-focused wildlife outreach program. Their programs have been highly acclaimed by a varied client list including the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks, Parks Canada, conservation authorities, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and post-secondary institutions. Approximately 250 programs are presented annually at schools, parks, public libraries, shopping malls, cottage associations, fairs, festivals, seminars and even corporate functions. Sciensational Sssnakes!! personnel have also been involved with conservation field work and research projects, and assist in these activities whenever their experience can be helpful. In addition to conducting programs, Sciensational Sssnakes!! makes their live specimens available to researchers and other groups to facilitate their needs whenever it can assist with public education and wildlife conservation.

This partnership will allow our program to reach more youth across Canada. Funding for this project has been provided in part by NSERC PromoScience. Individual donations and considerable in-kind contributions have also been received. Additional funding is required to complete the project goals for 2006-2008. Donations are always welcome, as are suggestions regarding funding sources!

There is a clear need for these programs. Not only are the majority of Canada’s reptile species “at risk,” they are still widely misunderstood and maligned by many people. Direct persecution by humans remains a major threat to several species, especially the larger snakes. Collection as pets, both incidental and targeted commercial collecting, is a particular threat to turtles. Habitat loss, road mortality, and even climate change are larger problems that still require solutions if we are to conserve these species for the future. Education alone may be enough to stop persecution, but considerable research will need to be done to resolve the other issues, and the students of today need to become interested so that they can aspire to be the researchers of the future.