Strathcona County has introduced new initiatives to safeguard plains garter snakes from vehicular traffic during the autumn season. This decision follows a concerning trend of over 1,000 snake fatalities reported between 2023 and 2025 along a seven-kilometre section of Range Road 210, specifically from Township Road 530 to Wye Road in the southward direction.
The attention of the county was drawn to this issue by Margo Pybus, the president of Friends of Cooking Lake-Blackfoot. Pybus highlighted the severity of the situation, recalling an instance in May 2023 when she observed 41 deceased snakes within a short span along the road.
According to Pybus, the area surrounding the road serves as a favored habitat for garter snakes. The eastern side offers a combination of fields and ponds where the snakes can locate food during the warmer months, while the western side provides ideal locations for winter dens.
This geographical setup leads to snakes crossing the highway regularly during spring and fall migrations. Additionally, the warmth emitted by the asphalt acts as a favorable resting spot for the cold-blooded reptiles as temperatures cool down, as noted by Pybus.
Collaborating with Friends of Cooking Lake-Blackfoot, Elk Island National Park, and the Beaver Hills Biosphere, Strathcona County is devising innovative strategies to enhance snake safety along the highway.
Jocelyn Thrasher-Haug, the county’s manager for agriculture and environment, emphasized the importance of these efforts, tailored specifically for snake conservation this time.
The county has already implemented seasonal electronic message boards to warn motorists about snake presence and conducted targeted social media campaigns for increased awareness. Despite initially installing permanent traffic signs, which were unfortunately stolen multiple times, budget constraints prevented replacements.
While the measures have led to reduced snake fatalities, the exact cause, whether improved driver caution or a decline in snake populations, remains uncertain, as acknowledged by Pybus.
If there’s something on the road that’s a metre in length and it’s moving — that’s not a branch and it’s not a rock– Margo Pybus
This season, Strathcona County plans to install fencing to guide snakes towards culverts that offer safe passage to their dens without crossing the road. Additionally, speed limits will be lowered at a known den intersection.
Thrasher-Haug expressed hope for behavioral changes among residents, emphasizing the significance of community cooperation and education in ensuring snake protection.