Dear Uromastyx Forum:



As previously mentioned above (and most still stands as written), I began collecting press in 1994 (pre-commercial-Internet), but it was three years later that I found my first ‘Uro’ press item in 1997. And I think I first posted to kingsnake.com in 2002, maybe 2003.



Since 1994, I have collected about 32,000 press items related to herps (not all of which I’ve posted to Kingsnake.com forums, though I’m sure sometimes it seems that I have) … and out of that mass, there are about 20 related to your unique herp-of-choice (see below for list).



Why so few Uro press items? Well, there are a variety of reasons:

1. Uro’s are still relatively new to the herpetoculturist population, and are relatively unknown outside of your unique discipline.

2. Uro’s don’t seem to get in trouble like their croc, python, venomous and monitor peers. (Meaning, there is no ‘bad news’ fit to print)

3. Uro owners don’t seem to get in trouble walking their spiny charges down city streets, taking them into theatres or violating city animal care/ownership by-laws. (Come on Uro-philes, surely there is one Mohawk-wearing, multi-piercing, leather-clad, tattoo-sporting, motorcyclist among you … and that goes double for the guys!)

4. Uro’s are not spreading into Florida like their python, monitor, gecko, anole and iguana peers.

5. Uro’s don’t get squashed on roads during spring migrations like their frog, turtle and salamander peers.

6. Uro’s don’t get species-specific scientific press advertising climate change or rampant loss of species like their frog/toad cousins.

7. Uro's have not had their own movie.



During the past two years however, we’ve seen a significant increase in Uro press … keeping in mind their modest numbers.



This is directly attributable to two things:

1. An increase in Uro ownership and awareness; and

2. An increase in English-press releases from Middle-eastern Arabic-speaking countries.



The press, whatever our complaints about its fairness and accuracy when it comes to herps, does give us a snapshot in the ‘culture’ surrounding reptiles within the newspapers’ distribution zone. Some papers are pro-reptile, others anti. Islam has a tradition of being anti-herp, much like elements of Christianity that quote passages of the ‘snake forever being under the heel’ (apologies for the brevity) However newspapers from Islamic countries also reveal that there are both scientists and amateurs working hard to protect their various herp populations … in this case, usually sea turtles and … uromastyx.



It’s important for everyone to know what is being printed for the general public on herps in general, and their own unique species in particular. City councils making by-laws are indifferent (at best) in making ownership laws that differentiate between two-foot-long green igs, water monitors and Uros.



I’m hoping that by posting Uro-related press items to your forum, I can offer a snapshot into the publics’ perception about your preferred animals, both foreign and domestic. And in the case of the domestic press items – they usually reported on Uros as ‘pets’; it gives the Uro-community the chance to confirm/deny/advise each other on the ‘reported facts’ as to weather the feature was correct in its depiction of Uro care or other related ‘facts’.



Though I’m ‘Uro-friendly’ and have had modest experience in Uro-care; I don’t make comments on the press items because I don’t have the knowledge and experience to really add anything to understanding or refuting any Uro-press item. However, I’m hoping to offer fellow-herpers something not usually found in your favourite Uro-care book …. The public perception – warts and all – of Uromastyx.



If you know what the public thinks of your animals and how they got that (mis)information, you’re half way to refuting any misconceptions and presenting your animals as the safe, enjoyable companions that you find them to be.



Thus endith the lecture.



Thank you for your kind patience.

Wes





= = = = =



CAIRO TIMES (Egypt) 11 December 97 A little dabb will do you

BOSTON GLOBE (Massachusetts) 27 June 98 Humans and pets strut `stupid' stuff for Letterman audition

TRIBUNE (St Paul, Minnesota) 17 October 99 Know facts about iguanas before bringing one home

ORANGE COUNTRY REGISTER (California) 30 May 00 His array of snakes, lizards and other critters provides quite a show for kids

ARAB NEWS (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Undated 01? Hunting 'dabb' in Al-Asyah

ARAB NEWS (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) 24 April 02 Ignorance cause of cruelty to animals

AVALANCHE-JOURNAL (Lubbock, Texas) 13 August 03 Iguana breathing easier after rescue

KHOU (Houston, Texas) 08 November 04 Fallujah fight has families battling to stay strong

PALM BEACH POST (Florida) 14 December 04 Love me, love my lizard

STAR-LEDGER (Newark, New Jersey) 20 February 05 In lively lessons, teacher-preacher features creatures

WBAL (Baltimore, Maryland) 19 May 05 Family Pet Could Be Dangerous To Children, Pregnant Women

GULF NEWS (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) 03 June 05 Operation save lizards under way

KHALEEJ TIMES (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) 04 June 05 ‘Save the Dhubs’ project launched

PENSACOLA NEWS-JOURNAL (Florida) 05 June 05 Animal prints

GULF NEWS (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) 25 June 05 A lizard's tale

CONNECTICUT POST (Bridgeport) 05 August 05 Reptiles A Smooth Show

BELFAST TELEGRAPH (Northern Ireland) 14 October 05 Snatched lizard could die without his courgettes

KHALEEJ TIMES (Abu Dhabi, UAE) 12 February 06 Reptile in a bag of peanuts!

ARAB NEWS (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) 02 May 06 Lizard’s Wizards Research Desert Dhub

KUWAIT TIMES (Safat, Kuwait) 08 June 06 Qurain family saved from Dabb Lizard

EXPRESS INDIA (Mumbai, India) 12 September 06 After chinkaras, reptile row for Aamir-starrer

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