Cats and snakes topics of discussion at GPICA May 6
Would you rather pat a furry cat or a sleek scaly snake? Come to Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m., to meet this odd juxtaposition of animals. Speakers will be Chris Lechowicz, director of Wildlife Habitat Management and staff herpetologist at SCCF, Sanibel, followed by Edith Schulte of C.A.T.S. with help from Marnie Miszewski, executive director of Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary in St. James City.
Schulte became locally famous for capturing the Winn-Dixie cats, paying out-of-pocket to have them spayed and neutered, and returning them to the woods behind Winn-Dixie to live out their lives. A snowbird resident complained in a letter to the editor that the cats were a nuisance and should be destroyed which prompted a plethora of letters to the editor in support of these mostly abandoned house pets that local residents were feeding behind the supermarket. The letter writers were overwhelmingly against destroying the cats – not surprising since Pine Islander’s are known for being fiercely protective of our environment including our animals.
Chris Lechowicz will bring an indigo snake to help us identify this species that has now become extinct on Sanibel. Pine Island may be the last location for these wild creatures to survive and we can help. Lechowicz would like us to notify him if we spot this large, up to 8 feet long, bluish-black snake. Indigo’s also eat other snakes including rattlesnakes and help keep populations in-check.
Lechowicz will explain why we should be concerned that these snakes are disappearing from our local landscape and why they are of value. Indigo snakes are a state and federal protected species. Copies of his book on snakes, frogs, turtles and lizards will be for sale at $30.
A short update of development activities on Pine Island by Phil Buchanan will end this last meeting of the season.
All civic meetings are open to the public at no charge. The GPICA meets at the Elks on Pine Island Road, west of Stringfellow.
Join or renew membership for a $10/p.p. annual fee.
Contact Roger Wood, president, at 920-421-3984 or Kathy Malone, 283-3762.