Michigan's rattlesnake listed as threatened species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Michigan’s only venomous snake, as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

FWS said that nearly 40 percent of the snake’s historical populations no longer exist, with an additional 15 percent being of uncertain status. Habitat loss gets most of the blame, although direct mortality (killing) and collection play a role, too.

Massasaugas are found in scattered locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. Most Michigan eastern massasaugas are located n the southern portion of the state.

In Michigan it is a state-listed species of special concern, but will be protected under Michigan’s Endangered Species Protection law once federally listed.

The massasauga is a small snake, about two feet long, with a thick body, heart-shaped head and vertical pupils. Markings include dark brown rings, and its tail is tipped by gray-yellow rattles. They live in wet prairies, marshes and low-lying areas along rivers and lakes, and eat small rodents such as mice and voles. Meek and secretive, FWS said they will try to escape rather than defend themselves or fight.

Enbridge to give $500,000 for pheasant habitat restoration

The DNR, the conservation group Pheasants Forever, and the company Enbridge Energy Partners have agreed upon a partnership in which Enbridge will provide $500,000 for Michigan pheasant habitat restoration work overseen by PF.

In 2013, Enbridge replaced a 30-inch pipeline running about two miles across the Crane Pond State Game Area in Cass County. Enbridge has restored prairie habitat at the game area that had been disrupted during that construction.

Now, the company will provide a half-million dollars for habitat improvement activities at mutually agreeable locations, with Pheasants Forever to administer and oversee the projects and report on them when completed. The DNR will chip in $50,000 in in-kind services.

“This partnership allows the parties involved to work together cooperatively, producing significant habitat improvements for wildlife and the betterment of upland game hunting opportunities,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh in a news release.

Since the “golden days” of Michigan pheasant hunting in the 1950s, the DNR said, changes in agricultural practices and land use have contributed to pheasant habitat loss, declining food sources and lower production of chicks.

The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative over its five years of existence has enhanced or restored 7,400 acres of grasslands on state lands, and 3,160 acres of food plots.

Duck poaching

arrests made

Four Ottawa County men were ticketed this month for poaching nearly 60 wild ducks, shot over illegal bait, from a private agricultural pond near the Grand River watershed. The men, who range in age from 20 to 24, are to appear later this month in Ottawa County District Court in Hudsonville.

Officers were alerted to the incident through a call to the DNR’s Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline.

Compiled and edited for the Daily News by Steve Griffin