I was really amazed to read how Americans legalize ILLEGAL reptiles!! For instance all Australian varanids are protected in Australia, and if I am not mistaken the LACEY act. includes foreign laws.

It's real easy to smuggle reptiles and legalize them in the states you just claim it to be Captive Bred, the reason its so easy is that you only have STATE LINES to cross and CITES has no effect on it. And only once the International border!!



In Europe only a few Germans (mostly scientist) have received legal documentation for their reptiles from Australia, and only they can give the propper documentation for the animals. When you go to a show in Europe you at least cross several borders and also customs (yes i know Europe has no borders but the customs and wildlife services do check vehicles that cross the border at least in Holland they do, on days of shows being held).



I have seen Varanus gilleni (1.1) smuggled into Holland by tourists (the same shipment contained Knobtailes, other geckoes, and 2 Taipans!!) Shiped in a box through mail!!!

The guy who had the Gilleni has no permits and cant deal with his animals because of the wildlife services (which is a good thing!!) Hopefully they will get him soon!!

Thats how easy it is to smuggle them, and if there is a buck to be made most will try to do it!!!



Also there are on EVERY reptile show, wildlife officials and customs working to check all animals traded are with proper documentation!!! And in Hamm, they check pictures of hermanni's!! if they correspond with the picture of wildlife service!! (which is good, so its harder to sell illegal CITES animals)



Europe has also import bans, and most monitor species are included except those who are traded in the skintrade. Beccari for instant are listed from at least 1994, and the complete quota goes to the USA!! Sometimes the bans only include wild caught animals and captive bred can be imported!



I have several times tried to import Australian varanids from several breeders but NOT one could give me EXPORT CITES, well that says enough for me! In Holland you can only get a EXPORT CITES if you can prove the animal is CB and you must have the original CITES number, or the breeder from who you bought your animal! And for every single animal you must pay, for each document!



And Frank CITES is NOT ONLY TO PROTECT FROM SKINTRADE!! All the animals that are listed on CITES I and II are in need of protection from, several reasons, but the main reasons are wildlife trade, bushmeat, and skintrade! So please dont say its only because of some skins and the rest is there by name!!!!

Its more serious than that. And why are there quotas then? Because to much animals are caught, which endanger the population and can eventually make them extinct in a region! Why do you think beccari's have quota, because they are black?? no it's because they live on a island and if there was no quota thousands would be exported!!!



And yes it's the job of every reptile hobbyist to have his or her documentation in order, if not confiscate it ALL! Every hobbyist should be responsible for his hobby and if that means thay must have the paperwork so be it!! If you dont want the paperwork don't buy the animal!!

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