(California Department of Fish and Wildlife)

PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA, June 3, 2022 — A CDFW wildlife officer was monitoring social media as part of modern-day wildlife law enforcement and came across an individual who claimed he was breeding and selling Western diamondback rattlesnakes, one of California’s native rattlesnakes, at an upcoming reptile exposition. Unlawful selling of any wildlife amounts to wildlife trafficking, a very high law enforcement priority for wildlife officers. About the same time, a concerned citizen who saw the same social media post provided a tip to the CDFW CalTIP line.

The wildlife officer attended the exposition, located the individual and determined he was in fact, trafficking in rattlesnakes. During the course of the investigation, the officer discovered the suspect had been breeding and selling a large number of native rattlesnakes for approximately 10 years. He also discovered the suspect was housing several non-native rattlesnakes that are restricted in California. The suspect did not possess the proper permits for the snakes.

The officer seized the rattlesnakes that were displayed for sale, then with the assistance of several other local wildlife officers, inspected the facility where the suspect was housing the rest of his rattlesnakes for his breeding operation. Wildlife officers identified and seized 59 rattlesnakes – 40 Western diamondback, 12 speckled and seven non-native prairie rattlesnakes.

Depending upon disposition by the court, the rattlesnakes seized by the department will potentially be utilized for scientific study or venom extraction to produce antivenom.

If you witness a poaching or polluting incident or any violation of fish and wildlife laws, or if you have information about such a violation, please call CDFW’s CalTIP number, (888) 334-2258, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other reporting options include texting or using the CalTIP app. Please visit CDFW’s CalTIP web page for details: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement/CalTIP