RM Gimli has now posted the Public Works department's proposal for protecting  the snake den against ATVs. The proposal  is to use boulders as a barricade and that could be good as long as they are positioned appropriately.  But their proposal is rather vague on positioning. So I have submitted to them the email below. Please contact them urging them to  address the five points I have listed. Their contact info here: https://www.gimli.ca/p/municipal-council

Dear Mayor and Council,

As the zoologist/photographer who has lobbied to protect the Gimli snake den since 2022, I would like to thank you for following up on the need to protect this den from ORV traffic as part of the agenda at the June 24, 2026 council meeting.

I would like to put on the official record for that meeting my comments regarding Gimli Public Works’ proposal to use large boulders as a barricade to protect the snake den from ORV traffic. https://gimli.allnetmeetings.com/pubs/download.aspx?ty=ag&agid=54B63056-A719-4FD3-A58D-DFE3664E0A6F&atid=814AB7E9-7440-4AEC-9087-7FB2EDF9F016

Boulders would form a significantly more effective, more tamper-proof barricade than the snow fences that have continually failed. Boulders should not impede the movement of snakes or other wildlife and would not include any mesh or wire that could cause wildlife entanglement.

Therefore, in principle, I support the use of boulders to protect the den provided that:

1.     MB Conservation approves/has no objection to this plan;

2.     The boulders fully block ORV, including dirt bike, access to BOTH the upper trail along the top of the den slope AND the lower trail along the bottom of the den slope.

3.     The boulders are positioned far enough back from the den site so that the den and the snakes using it are not visible from the boulders. ORV drivers stopped by boulders close enough to see the den may result in excessive disturbance to the snakes, even just from too many well-meaning but curious visitors. More particularly, sufficient distance between boulders and den is crucial to minimize the chances of those who intentionally seek to harm and kill snakes from discovering the den. Please refer to my November 2025 report to council where I described finding dozens of snakes with their heads inhumanely crushed by cruel people. Additionally, maintaining a good distance between boulders and den would prevent vibrations from ORVs from disturbing the snakes; snakes are very sensitive to vibration.

4.     The boulders are positioned to prevent ORVs, including dirt bikes, from just driving around them to access the den site.

5.     The boulders are installed when no snakes are present at the den. Depending on weather, snakes may start returning to the den as early as mid-August.

Thank you again for your kind attention and consideration. I look forward to your response and your decision on this matter. (Will that decision be made on June 24?)

Regards,
Roberta Olenick, M.Sc.