U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Says Lake Erie Watersnake Has Recovered

The Lake Erie watersnake, a harmless species once threatened with extinction, has rebounded to the point that the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to remove the snake from the list of federally endangered and threatened species. Lake Erie watersnakes inhabit offshore islands in western Lake Erie in Ohio and Ontario.

In a proposed rule published June 1, 2010 in the Federal Register, the Service said the Lake Erie watersnake has responded well to measures aimed at restoring its population and eliminating or reducing threats to the snake. Recovery efforts included protecting the snake