Hundreds of garter snakes were returned to their home Sunday, weeks after their hibernation den was disrupted during dike repair work in Delta.
Staff members at the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC in Burnaby returned approximately 500 snakes that were unearthed during repair work on a rock dike 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.
-with files from Amy Judd
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