Lance,



You are wrong on this one. The overall decline of amphibians can not be blamed on the herp industry but the introduction of chytrid fungus is being blamed on the industry. Academics are freaking about the chytrid fungus. Supposedly, it came in with a shipment of African clawed frogs (frequently used as study animals by academics)and they accidently trasferred it to wild populations. Subsquent screening of other African clawed frog colonies in the US showed chytrid present. However, chytrid is showing up in a lot of places. I don't think all can be blamed on imported animals. But you know they will blame the herp industry at every opportunity and the decison-makers believe whatever the academics say (because they come from academia). Maybe you can research the entire situation and let us know what you find.



But Jeff is correct, frogs are next. I wonder when they will go after grayband keepers? That is coming believe me. We are under a full onslaught attack from AR influenced, precautionary principal abusing academics. There will be more to come. You can rest assured of that. The only way we will be able to survive is to ALL band together and fight everything all the way. When it slacks off we need to stay focused because more will be coming. It will not end until one of two things happen. They win and all of our rights and privilages are gone. Or we stand up for ourselves with money and effort, and we find a win/win balance that they can't overcome.



We have to start now. We have been losing ground for years and we have not put forth the effort to protect ourselves. We need to step up now or it will all be gone. Mark my words.



Mike Welker

El Paso, TX

[ Show Entire Thread ]