John Ball Zoo is working to preserve the sole species of venomous snake in Michigan.
The eastern massasauga rattlesnake is a federally threatened species that is important to Michigan's wetland ecosystem.
The snakes have been declining in population due to habitat loss and fragmentation as well as intentional killing.
John Ball Zoo is working with Sarett Nature Center in Benton Harbor to monitor the snakes and hopefully see a boost in their population.
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