All,



Does anyone really think this will be objective? This will be used against the industry I am sure. The slippery slope rolls even faster. I wonder when herpers will come to their senses and form an ALL inclusive herper's rights group that protects everyone in the industry?



Mike Welker

El Paso, TX



CALL FOR PARTICIPATION



Project title: Non-game Wildlife Trade in Texas: Analysis and Synthesis of Information and

Recommendations for Long-Term Monitoring



Project statement: The objectives of this study are to document the extent of wildlife trade

in Texas considering both native and exotic species and using that information to make

recommendations for future monitoring. I will be using reported information from Texas

Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

as well as new collected data to determine 1) which species of native and exotic non-game

wildlife are currently traded as pets or meat in Texas; 2) describe and quantify patterns of

import, export, and re-export to and from Texas; 3) describe and quantify patterns of

non-game native and exotic wildlife trade in Texas, including trends in numbers of

collectors and dealers, prices, quantities sold, and geographic foci where dealers and

collectors operate; and 4) for native species quantify levels of collection from the wild and

counties of origin. To summarize findings I will identify strengths and weaknesses of the

current reporting system used by TPWD and USFWS, and make policy recommendations

regarding monitoring procedures to provide for sustainable use of species existing in or

entering into the trade.



In short: This study will be an objective analysis of the reptilian, chelonian, crocodilian,

and amphibian trade, and will help regulatory agencies better understand the importance

and dynamics of the trade.



What can you do to help? I am asking for pet owners and pet store owners (those with a

traditional brick and mortar storefront) across the United States to complete the following

web based surveys. Your identity will not be recorded, the surveys will take no more than

5 minutes of your time. Please feel free to forward this link to other herpetocultural

enthusiasts, pet owners, or store owners.



Pet Store Owners click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?

sm=s9EsDYeWRvSbLHrzr6tnHQ_3d_3d



Pet Owners click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?

sm=0Sro6nMdrnyIVyK5ZnsZBg_3d_3d



Questions or comments may be directed to my attention at:



Heather Prestridge

Graduate Student

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

Texas A&M University, College Station

tcwc@tamu.edu

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