It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our most recognized and beloved animal ambassador, Scooby the Gopher Snake. After a long year of health challenges, Scooby passed quietly on November 20, leaving behind a legacy far larger than her small, injured body ever suggested when she first arrived.
Seventeen years ago, Scooby was brought to the Madrona Marsh Nature Center as a gravely injured, nearly defeated baby gopher snake. A caring neighbor had found her in desperate condition and brought her to the one place they hoped could help. The staff welcomed her with compassion, providing the critical medical care she needed to survive. Though her injuries healed, they left her with permanent disabilities that made returning to the wild impossible. Instead, Scooby found a new purpose—one she embraced fully—as an animal ambassador for the Marsh.
In the many years that followed, Scooby touched the lives of thousands. Countless elementary school and preschool students met their first real snake through her gentle presence. For many children, she transformed fear into fascination. For others, she sparked a lifelong curiosity for nature. Scooby showed our community that snakes are not creatures to be feared, but important, beautiful members of our local ecosystem.
She taught patience, respect, and the value of every living thing. Her calm demeanor and resilience made her a symbol of the Marsh’s mission: to protect, educate, and inspire.
While we will deeply miss her familiar presence at the Nature Center, we are grateful for the many years she spent with us—and for all the connections, lessons, and memories she leaves behind. Scooby will forever remain part of the heart of Madrona Marsh.