Gordo, an Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, may have met his demise on Matchett Road last summer, but his genetic legacy lives on. A local expert in reptile conservation confirmed that Gordo successfully bred before his passing, resulting in seven baby rattlesnakes currently being nurtured for future release in the area.
Jonathan Choquette, a biologist leading the Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery program of Wildlife Preservation Canada, expressed enthusiasm about the offspring, noting their significant Ojibway genetic heritage. The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, native to Windsor-Essex, are facing near-extinction, with possibly fewer than 10 remaining in the region. This venomous species, critically endangered in Ontario, typically avoids confrontation but may strike if threatened as a last resort.
Gordo, a key male specimen aimed at bolstering the local rattlesnake population, was closely monitored by Choquette’s team. Despite his upbringing at Toronto Zoo, Gordo’s lineage can be traced back to rescued Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes from LaSalle over two decades ago. Sadly, Gordo’s life was cut short in September 2025 when his lifeless body was discovered on Matchett Road, likely a victim of a vehicular accident.
Choquette emphasized the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent the local disappearance of Massasauga rattlesnakes in Windsor-Essex. Before Gordo’s demise, he successfully mated with a female named Ashley, whose pregnancy was confirmed earlier this year during a visit to Toronto Zoo for a transmitter implant replacement. An X-ray revealed that Ashley was carrying eggs, and she later gave birth to her offspring at the zoo this spring.
The offspring of Gordo and Ashley will be kept in captivity until they reach one year of age. The plan is to release them in the Ojibway Prairie Complex next summer to perpetuate Gordo’s legacy in Windsor-Essex. Choquette highlighted the unique status of this population as the only tallgrass prairie habitat for Massasauga rattlesnakes in Canada, underscoring its significance to the country’s natural heritage.