Wilmington, NC July 16, 2009- The United States Association of Reptile
Keepers (USARK) supports a bounty on Burmese Pythons. Florida Fish &
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been working very closely
with key reptile experts in Florida to develop and implement a pilot
program for permitting a select group of 20 Florida reptile experts to
participate in a trial program that will allow permitted experts to hunt
Burmese Pythons on FWC and South Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD) areas. All participants must possess a valid Florida Reptiles of
Concern permit and meet criteria laid down by FWC. Each Burmese Hunt
Permittee will be allowed 5 additional hunters to accompany them into
the field. Permitted individuals must carry GPS units and digital
cameras, and supply data to FWC within 36 hours of capture. They will
also be required to attempt to capture any other non-native species they
come across during their hunts and call for permission from land
managers into restricted areas before going into the field. Permitted
individuals are free to take the specimens or euthanize them on site at
their discretion.

FWC has worked very hard to step up and develop this program. They have
worked very closely with the Florida Reptile Community in the
development of this permit/program, and are eager to be part of the
solution to this problem. Florida reptile experts spear-heading this
effort with FWC are Shawn K. Heflick, Greg Graziani and Michael Cole.

The United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) supports and
applauds this effort by FWC and the Florida Reptile Community in taking
concrete pragmatic steps in addressing the issue of feral Burmese
Pythons in South Florida. USARK supports Senator Bill Nelson's call for
the US Dept. of Interior to open federal land where the epicenter of the
population resides and is encouraging that this pilot program be
considered as a model for a Federal Bounty Program. In a letter dated
June 17, 2009 to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar USARK pledged $10,000
to this proposal.

USARK President Andrew Wyatt added, "It is time all interested
stakeholders work together to address this issue. The reptile community
has been unjustly cast as the villain being accused as the source of the
introduction of Burmese Pythons, when a genetics study commissioned by
SFWD points away from this likelihood. We are not the source, but we
want to be part of the solution; and we are putting our money where our
mouth is. We have more expertise with Burmese Pythons than all other
stakeholders combined and now we are bringing this expertise to bear in
addressing this problem in South Florida."

USARK is a science and education based advocacy for the responsible
private ownership of, and trade in reptiles. We endorse caging
standards, sound husbandry, escape prevention protocols, and an
integrated approach to vital conservation issues. Our goal is to
facilitate cooperation between government agencies, the scientific
community, and the private sector in order to produce policy proposals
that will effectively address important husbandry and conservation
issues. The health of these animals, public safety, and maintaining
ecological integrity are our primary concerns

[ Hide Replies ]

• Anyone up for a python hunt? Here ya go! - Jaykis, Thu Jul 16 20:57:15 2009