Listen 4-5 years ago I was asked by frog researchers looking at Chytrid Fungus in frogs if they would be allowed to swab and test shipments of Amazonian Frogs I was bringing in from Suriname at that time. Ron Gagliardi from the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta asked me originally. I readily agreed because the theory was that the fungus was being spread around the world by Frog importers and exporters. Four-five of my shipments were checked and swabbed. The cultures I believe were sent to a lab in Australia and ALL mine were negative. More than 12 species were swabbed in all perhaps several thousand frogs in total number. I, for one, would be happy to cooperate with any reasonable request but that one single request is the ONLY one I've been asked to participate in. If they need this type of data why don't whoever for whatever simply ask? I believe that many others would cooperate as well. The fact is there's a lot of [bleep]ing and conjecture but NO ONE steps up to the plate and says let's work together for the good of all. I KNOW I WOULD BE GLAD TO PROVIDE ANY DATA REQUESTED.....Thanks...By the way I no longer import frogs because I know that the mortality is high over time and from a moral standpoint decided I would NO longer do it....
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Tom Crutchfield

www.tomcrutchfield.com

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