I hear you. On the other hand, when a species that probably was collected illegally decades ago is now well established in captive collections such that the demand for wild-caught is nil, then why not keep them and breed them?

I think the best thing for any herp is to be well-known but not worth too much money. Then maybe, the proper method of protecting it - saving its habitat - will be more likely. When a herp loses its importance to humans, it is very likely that nothing will be done to save it in the wild.

It is that difficult balance. Too much interest (worth alot of money), and poachers abound. Fortunately for many Baja herps, that scenario is in the past. Too little interest, and the habitat gets plowed up.
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Mark

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