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USFWS N.O.I. Last days to comment!

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Rico Walder

USFWS N.O.I. Last days to comment!

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Posts: 525

(04/26/08 05:25:21)

MVFonator

Hey Everyone,

Just a quick reminder that comments for the USFWS Notice of Inquiry to include Python, Boa and Eunectes genera as Injurious Species. Comments need to be received by the end of the month. This is an information gathering session and not a "proposed rule". They need information and everyone concerned about the herp community should comment. Below is a good video link and some information from a new organization USARK.

mms://wm.streamingmediahosting.com/mindsinolimits/usfws_noi_response_video.wmv

USFWS Notice of Inquiry & Request for Comment

The United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is collecting data on the Boa, Python and Eunectes genera for possible addition to the "Injurious Wildlife" list under the Lacey Act. This should be taken VERY seriously by the reptile community and industry. It is very important that as many people as possible participate and make comment prior to April 30, 2008.

This is your chance to influence whether Boas and Pythons get added to the "Injurious Wildlife" list. PLEASE MAKE A SUBMISSION ASAP!! Use this link:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/search_results.jsp?css=0&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall&Ne=2+8+11+8053+8054+8098+8074+8066+8084+8055&Ntt=injurious&sid=119309719708

It is important that you make comments that are pertinent to the Notice of Inquiry. Don't tell them how you 'feel' about your snakes… Don't tell them how "unfair" it would be if they ban your snakes. There are specific questions that they are looking for answers to. Only respond to the questions that you understand and can really answer. In addition to answering the questions give them facts.

Facts:

Boas & Pythons can not stand prolonged exposure to cold. Temperatures that fall below freezing will kill them. (if you have ever had a snake die from cold or suffer respiratory infection due to cold… tell the story)

How many snakes do you own? How do you insure your snakes can not escape? Do you micro-chip? Do you have an escape recovery plan?

Let them know state and local ordinances that may encourage responsible keeping.

Tell them how you educate others to keep snakes secure in sturdy cages and NEVER release animals into the wild.

Inform them of the resources for responsible ownership and support you have available through the US Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) and PIJAC.

USFWS Questions:
• What regulations does your State have pertaining to the use, transport or production of
Python, Boa and Eunectes genera?
• How many species in the Python, Boa and Eunectes genera are currently in production
for wholesale or retail sale, and in how many and which States?
• How may businesses sell Python, Boa or Eunectes species?
• How many businesses breed Python, Boa or Eunectes species?
• What are the annual sales for Python, Boa or Eunectes species?
• Please provide the number of Python, Boa or Eunectes species, if any, permitted within
each State.
• What would it cost to eradicate Python, Boa or Eunectes individuals or populations, or
similar species, if found?
• What are the costs of implementing propagation, recovery and restoration programs for
native species that are affected by Python, Boa or Eunectes species, or similar snake
species?
• What State-listed species would be impacted by the introduction of Python, Boa or
Eunectes species?
• What species have been impacted, and how, by Python, Boa or Eunectes species?

FORWARD THIS NOTICE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!! POST on your Website!!! Post on every forum you know!!!

Drop Andrew Wyatt an email and let him know after you have submitted your comments at Andrew@ncark.org.

PLEASE DO IT NOW!!!

Thanks,

Andrew Wyatt
Executive Director
US Association of Reptile Keepers
Andrew@ncark.org

Rico Walder
Signal Herpetoculture
www.signalherp.com
Chondro Coalition
www.chondrocoalition.com

Blue Ridge Biological

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Posts: 411

(04/26/08 08:52:30)

MVFonator

You can find a short description on writing comments to the USFWS at this link. The info in this link was put together by PIJAC. PIJAC has a decades long working history with USFWS (starting in 1970). I personally feel they are the herp industry's best representatives. As opposed to coming off on the defensive, they acknowledge that invasive species are a concern, but there are ways to deal with the issue other than outright bans. The herp industry needs to work with USFWS on this if we want to see any acknowledgment of our concerns in any potential future regulations. That is why I think PIJAC represents us best since they have a long established good working relationship with USFWS. Kamuran Tepedelen of Bushmaster is the Vice-Chair of the PIJAC Reptile and Amphibian Committee and I am currently working for PIJAC as a consultant on the same committee. Anyone interested in supporting PIJAC, can find out more info at this link.

Please take the time to thoughtfully put together a response before the deadline. I am already aware of comments submitted that include derogatory language and other such garbage. This is NOT the way to have our voices heard. That kind of response will only work against us. In my opinion, the chondro community represents the best of the herp industry and it is our collective intelligence that needs to be heard.

Will

Rico Walder

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Posts: 526

(04/26/08 11:31:34)

MVFonator

Thanks Will,

Good links and good advice. Below is some information from what HSUS is doing to encourage their membership to respond in favor of adding the proposed genera to the invasive species list.

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/hsi_snakes_trade

Your help is urgently needed to stop the importation of pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas for the pet trade!

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) has requested comments on a notice of inquiry, the first step in a process that could ultimately prohibit importation and interstate trade of pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas as pets. It is important that they hear from people concerned about the welfare of the animals, the health and safety of the public, and the devastating impacts these snakes can have on local ecosystems.

Please act right away-the deadline for public comment is Wednesday, April 30, 2008.

TAKE ACTION

1) Submit your comments on the U.S. government's regulations.gov website.

Click here for information you can include in your comments.
On the regulations.gov website, click on the "Add comments" bubble to submit your comments.
On the regulations.gov website, click on one of the document "Views" (pdf or doc) to see the request for comments.

(Note that your comments and identifying information will be posted online at regulations.gov.)

2) Tell us that you commented! Fill out the form at right to let us know that you care about snakes and other wildlife.

3) Tell your friends and family how they can help snakes, too.

I submitted comments to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service advocating adding the Python, Boa, and Eunectes genera to list of injurious wildlife.

[Your name]

Let us know you took action

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Phone Number:

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Maintainer: Humane Society International (info@hsi.org)

Rico Walder
Signal Herpetoculture
www.signalherp.com
Chondro Coalition
www.chondrocoalition.com

Kim Burge

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Posts: 229

(04/26/08 13:36:49)

MVFonator

The amount of bad or down right incorrect information out there being added to the public comments on this NOI is just astounding! Everyone of us should submit something - even if you are only able to answer one question. Our voices need to be heard or our future efforts may be trying to figure out what to do with our "banned" animals. Thanks for continuing to remind us about this!

Kim Burge
Southern Chondros
kimberly@southernchondros.com

bigsnakes

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Posts: 297

(04/26/08 17:19:46)

MVFonator

I was exceptionally disappointed by the information on the Human Society International website. Thank you for sharing that.

MegF42

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Posts: 1858

(04/27/08 05:25:44)

Forum super duper Ultra Chondro!

I had done the questions by cutting and pasting. I'm not sure it actually sent the comment though as when I selected continue, it said it had timed out due to inactivity. It takes a while to answer all the questions so I'm not sure it even went thru. Damn government. To have to go back and start over would suck!

5.5~Cornsnakes
3.4.1~Green Tree Pythons
2.1.2~Amazon tree boas
1.0~California Kingsnake
Assorted: Horses, dogs, and cats
www.Franclycac.com

bigsnakes

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Posts: 298

(04/27/08 06:39:00)

MVFonator

I highly recommend typing your response in a word processing program then inserting the whole thing in the comment section as I was not able to successfully access the individual question section either.

milmoejoe

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Posts: 22

(04/27/08 08:10:11)

I would re-type and re-submit- I've heard they've encountered some issues with server timeouts as you mentioned.

The whole damn the government mindset is not going to help you here...might as well leave it behind!

Your concerns are in opposition to FL State and a number of activist NGO's!

Rico Walder

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Posts: 527

(04/27/08 12:57:41)

MVFonator

Bigsnakes - Everyone has the right to their opinion and to respond accordingly... even HSUS. My addition on the post was just an FYI and not ment to upset folks. Sorry if it got people worked up.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO CONSIDER when making your comments is to be polite, professional and constructive. Emotional, angry or abusive comments will only reflect negetively on the industry/hobby. They will make matters worse, not better!

Hope that helps.

Rico Walder
Signal Herpetoculture
www.signalherp.com
Chondro Coalition
www.chondrocoalition.com

MegF42

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Posts: 1859

(04/27/08 13:00:41)

Forum super duper Ultra Chondro!

I had an interesting conversation with Troy Frantz at Frantz Herpetological. I was interested in finding out how many of his animals are produced by him and how many are purchased from either importers or private breeders. He does about 50/50. He also has a degree in economics and one thing he suggested is that we point out that sales of boas, pythons and other snakes tie in to a huge economic base. The $400 chondro you buy today, leads to the purchase of a Vision cage, boaphile cage etc. It also leads to buying from Pro panel, herpstat and other industries. Feeder mice and rats...the list goes on. Banning of these species (especially without being species specific) could grossly effect the economy. Point out that even stores like Pet Co who sell no snakes at all are still impacted by their sales elsewhere as they do sell reptile supplies. Even shipping companies like Fed Ex and Delta Dash would stand to lose money from businesses who ship their snakes thru them. Although it doesn't answer specific questions that are listed above and that most of us couldn't even begin to address as we have no access to the statistics, we can still make a general statement to the effect that we are part of an industry with far reaching financial impact.

5.5~Cornsnakes
3.4.1~Green Tree Pythons
2.1.2~Amazon tree boas
1.0~California Kingsnake
Assorted: Horses, dogs, and cats
www.Franclycac.com

bigsnakes

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Posts: 300

(04/27/08 17:22:25)

MVFonator

Rico,

You are completely right. Everyone does have the right to their own opinion. The "thank you" for the HSUS link was genuine. I work with a number of human societies on a regular basis. I have also participated in fundraisers that made monetary donations to HSUS. I have never encountered a "humane society" that discriminated against a specific category of animals in this fashion before. I was truly disappointed to see the response they were trying to perpetuate among their supporters. I believe in responsible consumerism and will recommend that the umbrella organization discontinue support of HSUS. No hate speech. Just my opinion about organizations touting themselves as "humane" spouting speciest propaganda. Don't worry, I did not include any of this in my NOI response. Thanks again for alerting us all to the opportunity to positively promote the hobby and actively participate in the government process.

Carrie

milmoejoe

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Posts: 23

(04/27/08 19:40:51)

I agree with you here. HSUS has (IMO) generally done a decent job at researching, portraying and approaching an issue in the past. In 2007, I was proud to work with them on a research grant to highlight illegal shark finning in protected areas. After seeing this propoganda, I am now embarrassed to have been affiliated with them!

Just FYI: "The" humane society / HSUS has petitioned for herp species listing as injurious wildlife in the past. The most recent (I believe) being a proposal to list the green iguana for the spread of salmonellae. This was shot down (for whatever reason?) and the iguana was obviously never listed.

Since that time, the pet industry has undertaken a huge responsibility to educate the public about the potential encounters with Salmonellae- you see the sanitization stations all throughout pet stores, educational posters on the wall, care sheets available and even sometimes a waiver of liability.

This case within and of itself, shows that the herp / pet industry *is* very capable of addressing and controlling threats that may or may not pose a serious danger.

While, at the same time- the green iguana is one of, if not the highest sale herp specimen, and by no means is a catalyst to a sustainable herp industry when you think about it.

So, its a double edged sword at best!

I would encourage you to put your thinking caps on for this one. Meg, you made a great point- money is often (if not always) a determining factor!

taphillip

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Posts: 287

(04/27/08 20:38:29)

MVFonator

I'm sorry, but it just amazes me how many animal keepers, pet owners, hunters, fishermen etc. support the HSUS... These people are bad..have always been bad, will always be bad... They are a much different entity than your local humane society or animal shelter.
They fool people into thinking that they are for the welfare of captive animals when in absolute fact they are for NO captive animals...

Just baffles me.
T-

MegF42

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Posts: 1863

(04/28/08 02:03:42)

Forum super duper Ultra Chondro!

I agree Terry. While I do support our local humane society in principle, not monetarily, (they are often the only ones who will respond to animal abuse calls) the umbrella organization is no better than PETA in my book. I'm wondering if we should also be sending a note to them..nothing inflammatory, merely something stating the facts about pythons and boas. I KNOW that these people are only thinking about giant boas and pythons when they hear the words. Most people I meet say the exact same thing....you have PYTHONS and BOAS!!???? Aren't you afraid they'll strangle you and eat you???? I always have to explain that these boas and pythons don't take anything larger than a small rat. They are unaware that there are other species of python and boa that don't reach lengths of 20 ft.

5.5~Cornsnakes
3.4.1~Green Tree Pythons
2.1.2~Amazon tree boas
1.0~California Kingsnake
Assorted: Horses, dogs, and cats
www.Franclycac.com

Tim McRae

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Posts: 10

(04/28/08 21:56:18)

here's a good video on this subject

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwGeaQN13Q4

2.3.2 GTP's, 2.2 hognose,1.1 kenyen sand boas, 2.4 veiled chameleons+80 eggs, 3.4 panther chameleons, and alot of poision dart frogs

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USFWS N.O.I. Last days to comment!

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