Protecting the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is in decline across its range in the Great Lakes region of
the U.S. and Canada. Through the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s SAFE: Saving Animals
From Extinction ® program, SAFE EMR brings together field researchers, accredited zoos and
aquariums, and community partners to strengthen wild populations, restore habitat, and build
public support for a species most people will never see but that plays a critical role in a healthy
ecosystem.

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Three objectives guide everything SAFE EMR does, from the field to the outreach event.

Conserve Populations Across the Range

Ongoing population surveys in Michigan track the health, survival, and reproduction of a local
massasauga population — data that directly informs conservation decisions. SAFE partners
work across the range to monitor, assist with habitat management, and support populations
through conservation translocations.

Support Coexistence Through Outreach & Education

We equip zoos, educators, and conservation partners with outreach materials to help the public
understand and respect the massasauga’s role in a healthy ecosystem — building toward
events like World Snake Day each July 16th.

Coordinate and Support Partners

More than 25 partners – AZA-accredited institutions, NGOs, state, provincial, and federal
agencies, and conservation partners — work together under SAFE EMR, sharing resources,
expertise, and coordinated action across the range. We provide targeted funding to support
projects that will help the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake towards recovery.

Featured Projects

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Michigan Field Survey

Our longest-running project, active since 2009, surveying the one of Michigan’s best studied
massasauga populations in collaboration with all SAFE partners and the Edward Lowe
Foundation.

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Ojibway Prairie Translocation

Cross-border collaboration supporting massasauga populations in Ontario, supported by theconservation breeding and translocation from Canadian zoos and aquariums in collaboration
with Wildlife Preservation Canada.

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EMR Outreach Toolkit

Downloadable activity books, handouts, and resources that help SAFE EMR partners bring
massasauga conservation education directly to their communities.

Get Involved

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