The City of Lethbridge's seasonal rattlesnake mitigation program, in place to reduce the number of people/pet and snake encounters is open for the year.
Residents may encounter prairie rattlesnakes when exploring the coulees or occasionally in urban areas. Each year between early-May to December, when rattlesnakes are out of hibernation, rattlesnake consultant Ryan HeavyHead relocates rattlesnakes on public or private property where there is a concern for public safety.
The snakes are relocated from areas of conflict, back to their permanent natural habitat and away from people/pet conflict.
The Province of Alberta Wildlife Act prohibits anyone from owning/harassing wildlife, including rattlesnakes and bull snakes, so the City of Lethbridge provides this mitigation program to encourage residents to phone for help instead of trying to move rattlesnakes themselves. Injuring wildlife or damaging their habitats is illegal in Alberta.
To have a rattlesnake relocated from an urban or recreational area, please call 403-332-6806.
To report a rattlesnake sighting, please contact the Helen Schuler Nature Centre at 403-320-3064.
More information is available here on the rattlesnake mitigation program.
For Public Inquiries:
Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
