62 endangered San Francisco garter snakes released into the wild for first time

Endangered San Francisco garter snakes have been released into the wild for the first time, a milestone for conservation in California. Sixty-two young snakes born at the San Francisco Zoo were set free at carefully chosen sites across San Mateo County, one of only two California counties where the species lives naturally, earlier this autumn. The reptile has featured on the United States endangered species list since its first edition in 1967, which makes this captive-bred release a significant turning point for the species. Wildlife managers hope the achievement clears the way for further releases of the same kind. The zoo said the release marks a major milestone in a decades-long effort to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.Biologists see the first release as a step toward healthy populations that can sustain themselvesAccording to Popular Science, the successful rewilding of dozens of the endangered snakes is a huge moment for population rehabilitation efforts. Karine Tokatlian, a biologist at the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, said in a statement that the snakes’ return represents years of research, collaboration, habitat restoration and careful conservation work. She described the first release as an important step toward healthy, resilient populations that can sustain themselves over the long term.