A newspaper in Charleston, West Virginia, where the timber rattlesnake is the official state reptile, followed through on this story. They contacted the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs, where they spoke with one Tom French.

He stated that for the first ten years of the proposed project, every snake, before it is released into the island sanctuary, will be fitted with radio transmitters. This statement was made to reassure people making emotional remarks about what happens if a snake sneaks off the island and heads for the mainland shore.