Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Feds consider adding poisonous rattlesnake to endangered species list

Environmental groups have convinced the federal government to propose listing the poisonous eastern diamondback rattlesnake as an endangered species in order to protect the reptile from “human persecution.” “Survival of these snakes in large part depends on whether people continue to persecute them or instead choose to allow these amazing creatures to share the land with us,” Bill Matturro, spokesman for Protect All Living Species, said in welcoming the government’s decision, announced earlier this month. “In the Southeast, we are blessed with a rich natural heritage of animals and plants. All of these species—even the rattlesnakes—should be allowed to exist.” The Fish and Wildlife Service says they are taking comments on listing the snake because environmental groups presented “substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the eastern diamondback rattlesnake may be warranted.” The diamondback is the largest rattlesnake in North America, and the range of the eastern species encompasses the coastal plain of the southeastern U.S. from North Carolina to south Florida, and west to Mississippi and Louisiana. In addition to humans, environmentalists say the snake is at risk of extinction because its habitat, longleaf pine forests, are also disappearing. Federal officials estimate that 55 percent of this species can be found on private property. On public property where the remaining 45 percent are believed to be located, federal officials would have the authority to place restrictions on the use of that land if the reptile were listed as an endangered species...more

To my friends in the South: Welcome to the Endangered Species Act.  How does it feel to have the government's fangs aimed right at you?

The columnist also states:

 "Federal officials estimate that 55 percent of this species can be found on private property. On public property where the remaining 45 percent are believed to be located, federal officials would have the authority to place restrictions on the use of that land if the reptile were listed as an endangered species."

Don't forget, restrictions can and will be imposed on private property too.

And what about those snake handlers down south?  The columnist says:

"What remains unclear is the effect such a listing would have on those southern religious organizations that celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ by taking up serpents, a practice also known as “snake handling.” "

Native Americans can smoke peyote and the Amish are exempt from all kinds of government foolery.  Will be interesting to see how the feds handle the snake handlers.

What's the big deal anyway.  The article says that only 95 percent of all snake bite deaths are due to the diamondback.

Still, they're taking comments for a year, pushing it back beyond the elections.

On the issue of listing the critter, one commenter said, "On one side we have these venomous fork-tongued scaly creatures.  On the other side are the rattlesnakes." 


No comments: