By Josh Hoffman @JoNoHoffman Country 95 @Country95

Officials Investigating Report of Snake Killing In Coulee

Feb 17, 2016 | 11:17 AM

LETHBRIDGE: Alberta Fish and Wildlife is investigating a report of a snake being killed in the Scenic Heights area on the edge of the Coulee.

Lethbridge Ecological Consultant Ryan Heavy Head says a woman was on the South side by the cemetery Sunday when she noticed a group walk below her.

“She had observed five individuals walk down into the Coulee below [a] playground with shovels and dig up part of a snake den, kill a snake and brought it back to their vehicle.”

Heavy Head says it is not only illegal to kill a rattle snake but the public is prohibited from even being near snake dens.

He says individuals caught doing this face thousands of dollars’ worth of fines. 

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Heavy Head says there are many reasons someone may do this, one being fear.

“What I think probably happened, we’ve been having warm weather, [and] rattlesnakes brumate, they don’t hibernate, which means if it warms up for a period of time, they’ll start coming out and basking.”

Heavy Head says someone may have seen a rattle snake out basking and decided to take action.

He also notes many people covet pieces of so-called dangerous animals like rattle snakes and eagles and these suspects may have wanted snake skin or the rattle. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the City or Fish and Wildlife.