Ranched does not necessarily mean sustainable. I can't speak for African countries, but I know from experience that regulations on these things are less than air tight in many poorer nations.

I would like to believe for example that the allotment of 20,000 captive bred B. constrictor in Nicaragua actually refers to captive bred individuals. However I find it highly unlikely. It is far too easy to slip a few bills in with your paper work and pass off wild caught individuals as captive bred for export.



Now perhaps I am being too cynical and passing unfair judgments, but I don't think so.



As far as how to make it sustainable? It is true that there will always be pet stores and less than responsible owners looking for the cheapest python, iguana, monitor, etc But that is what makes it all the more important for us as educators, breeders, and in general, responsible members of the herp community to pass on the need to support captive breeding and responsible pet ownership. You will never reach everyone, but you can try





Keep breeding, keep teaching, and above all keep learning. This is a perfect example of how we can all be hoodwinked.



what started out as my two cents turned into a rambling $1.50 but oh well
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lost in the jungle somewhere

Z

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