Chris,



Many predators of reptiles have FLOURISHED because of people. Racoons are a prime example - they live quite well in close proximity to humans and can wipe out local turtle populations in a very short time. Coyotes are now found in places they wouldn't have existed 100 years ago - the first coyote sighting in Prince George's County, MD, happened about a decade ago, if memory serves correct, and the east coast individuals are reportedly bigger than thier western bretheren.



The overabundance of deer - an ironic result of increased human development - on the east coast of the United States likely has an indirect negative affect on reptiles as well.



As for disease transmission to native populations, one isn't just worried about parasites. What about viruses? Mycoplasma? New viruses are turning up in North American box turtle populations. It's already expensive to test for the known bacteria and viruses, and what about the ones that we can't test for?



How do you classify a "professional" breeder? A breeder can also be a wholesaler/importer, and not all of those facilities are careful in quarantine and isolation.



All of what you recommended would be extremely expensive.



I think the ony way you would sell something like this to wildlife authorities is if you made it profitable for them. Show them how they can make the money from permits.



Still, I wouldn't mind LIMITED collection of wild reptiles, I just don't want the lay public to buy a wild-caught Russian tortoise for $50. I think only breeders - those with long-standing experienc with reptiles or a specific species that are interested in expanding the understanding of a species and/or producing captive generations - should be buying wild-caught reptiles.



Katrina

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