Silver Boa (Chilabothrus argentum)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 182519951

Saving the Silver Boa: In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation of the World’s Most Endangered Boa

The goal of this project is straightforward: we intend to prevent the imminent extinction of the Silver Boa. In many endangered species projects such a goal is implied, or even explicitly stated, but rarely with such a clear path for successful intervention. In this case our path is clear— we can save the Silver Boa with direct and immediate conservation intervention. To rescue this species, we will implement both in situ and ex situ conservation interventions. Ex situ conservation will consist of establishing an off-site “insurance” colony of six reproducing and carefully managed boas. An appropriate partner institution has been chosen with sufficient resources, prior experience, and staff to properly care for the species and propagate it in captivity. We will further conduct population census, comprehensive habitat survey, and to secure six individuals to establish an ex situ insurance colony in a biosecure facility. Without this intervention, this species will almost certainly go extinct within 1–2 decades.