US Amphibian Ban! PLEASE READ!

[CJ PELCHER]

You send the email poison?

[JeffreH]

I would be willing to bet the rationale to adding all amphibians as Injurious Wildlife to the Lacey Act is to lessen the potential for spreading Chytrid Fungus.

Anti-Pet groups have been lobbying to add the "Big 9" large constrictors to the list of injurious wildlife. They successfully took Burmese pythons, Yellow Anaconda, and the North and South African (rock) Pythons.

When the "Python Ban" arose, myself (and countless others, I'm sure) did not truly think they would take these species, but they did. The remaining 5 were not added due to economic impact and ecological studies on the species and their ability (or lack-there-of) to manifest themselves in US ecosystems. Now, they are once again lobbying against these 5 constrictors (all Boa constrictor species/subspecies, reticulated python, Green anaconda, De' Shaunsee's anaconda, & Beni anaconda). Despite the immense economic impact on businesses (millions-billions $$) and numerous scientific publications and reviews revealing that these species are in fact, not so injurious... under CatX these species can be added to the list without scientific justification. We put up a fight and proved Anti-Pet legislation wrong...their solution? Find a way around it to ban species in a completely illegitimate way. What irks me is the media's representation of these animals to fuel their fight - seen as "dangerous." Yet, more people die each year black Friday shopping, and the number of people sent to the ER yearly due to other domestic pets (i.e. dogs/cats) is staggering in comparison. A species should not be banned due to being "dangerous." We humans are the greatest threat to ourselves and all other species on earth.

My point in all of this is to make everyone AWARE of what is happening. Do your part, put in your word, and spread the news to others. There are few good ways to rally the entire herp community, so we must rely on forum-postings and each other to spread the word amongst those who are passionate.

The last thing you want to do is sit there and hope that this all goes away. Voice your opinion, be professional, send the emails, make the calls, etc. A few minutes of our time contributes to the future of keeping herps as pets.

We can also thank and support groups like the United States Herpetoculture Alliance, United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK), and PIJAC who have our best interests in mind and are fighting state and federal legislation for us.

[poison]

You send the email poison?

No, I havent even read it yet. I'll give it a read tomorrow.