Imperiled Species Program

The Imperiled Species Program at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is dedicated to the conservation of rare and native wildlife—focusing on reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates at risk of extinction. The program’s goal is to raise and breed these animals, then release them into suitable habitats to support population growth and genetic diversity. Staff and collaborators at state and federal wildlife agencies monitor released animals in the wild to determine if conservation efforts have been successful and how they can be improved. Through captive breeding and carefully managed reintroduction efforts, the program aims to rebuild struggling wildlife populations and ensure their long-term survival.

Currently, the Imperiled Species Program supports two species: the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander and the giant garter snake. The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is a federally endangered amphibian found only in a few small, isolated areas along California’s central coast. It spends most of its life underground, but emerges to breed in seasonal ponds, where its eggs hatch into aquatic larvae before developing into adults. The giant garter snake is a threatened reptile species that lives in wetlands and rice fields in the Central Valley. It is one of the largest garter snakes in North America and is specially adapted to life in and around water, which includes eating aquatic prey. By carefully breeding, raising, and releasing these animals, the Imperiled Species Program plays a key role in helping these species recover and thrive in the wild.

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Imperiled Species Program Photos