Staff from the Chicago Illinois Field Office (CIFO) are for the fourth consecutive year coordinating a multi-partner effort to survey for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in northeast Illinois.

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake is a candidate for listing as a federally threatened or endangered species, and is already listed as endangered by the State of Illinois.  At least four historic populations were known from the greater Chicago area of northeastern Illinois, though only two of these populations have had documented sightings of massasaugas since the year 2000.  In 2006, staff from the Chicago Field Office worked closely with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and local land management agencies to coordinate intensive surveys at the historic sites.  Massasaugas were found at only one site between 2006 and 2008.  At that site, the total of 12 individual eastern massasaugas, encountered 56 times, represents an unusually high recapture rate and indicates that the population has become very small.  Because of this, surveys and conservation efforts directed at massasaugas in northeast Illinois will be greatly expanded in 2009. 

On March 25, 2009, CIFO biologists Mike Redmer and Kris Lah led a workshop held at Lincoln Park Zoo to train new surveyors in field methods and safe handling protocols for the massasauga.  Over 34 biologists, naturalists, or zoo staff, representing seven agencies or organizations, attended the training.  Surveys will begin when local weather conditions are warm enough to stimulate emergence by massasaugas.