Great news from Audubon Zoo: one of North America’s rarest snakes is getting a second chance in the wild, and Louisiana’s beloved zoo is leading the way!
On June 3, 2026, a team from Audubon Zoo released 14 endangered Louisiana pinesnakes into the Kisatchie National Forest in north-central Louisiana. This release is part of a long-running conservation effort to restore wild populations of this beautiful and imperiled species.
Audubon Zoo has cared for Louisiana pinesnakes for more than 30 years. So far, the Zoo has returned a total of 58 of these snakes to the wild, and together with conservation partners, 80 were released in 2026 alone. Before release, each snake receives a microchip for future tracking, plus a full health check, weigh-in, and photograph.
Behind the scenes, the Zoo’s herpetology team tends a breeding colony of 21 adult pinesnakes whose hatchlings are raised for almost a year until they are big and strong enough to face the wild. Their new homes in the Kisatchie National Forest offer gopher burrows and stump holes — the perfect hiding spots for these shy snakes.
The Louisiana pinesnake is an essential part of the longleaf pine ecosystem, and every release brings the species one step closer to recovery. What a proud moment for New Orleans and for Louisiana’s wild places!
Photo: Audubon Nature Institute
