>>Wasn't sure if anyone had seen this yet...

>>

>>http://www.theledger.com/article/20100105/EDIT01/1055001?Title=Dangerous-Reptiles-Overhaul-Florida-Snake-Trade

>>

>>[ DANGEROUS REPTILES ]

>>Dangerous Reptiles: Overhaul Florida Snake Trade

>>

>>Published: Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.

>>Last Modified: Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 7:52 a.m.

>>

>>Reptile breeders and sellers say a bill before Congress to ban the import and sale of several dangerous snake species will do great economic harm to their businesses. They are undoubtedly right.

>>

>>But it is equally true that the Everglades is becoming infested with escaped Burmese pythons and other exotic snake species that are wiping out native wildlife and posing a threat to public safety.

>>

>>"All these snakes that are being released in the Everglades are reproducing in the Everglades, and they're catching and killing a lot of the endangered species that do live and belong there," said Don Anthony, spokesman for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, last month.

>>

>>Allowing that infestation to continue in the name of economic development makes no sense.



This is exactly why we need to NOT allow this to become purely a "business vs. the environment" battle. It is paramount to expose the junk science at every chance, as well as economic loss. Yes, many breeders will lose their livelihoods if the laws pass. Is that fair? Of course not. But if people think snakes are taking over Florida (or 1/3 of the country) and could eat their kids, they don't give a crap about snake breeders' livelihoods.

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