I also am not from Florida but have done some research on this over the last year or so and I must comment here. It isn't just the irresponsible owner to blame here. Undoubtedly numerous irresponsibleowners have let their burms (as well as many other species) loose into the glades, the Miami International Airport is also largely to blame. The airport is probably the main prt of entry of most of the worlds importers. This in conjustion with the fact that the airport sits right on the outskirts of the glades has resulted in a problem over the last 30 years. It was almost common practice throughout the 70's and into the 80's for the cargo inspectors to release unclaimed animals into the glades. When an order came in the inspectors would hold the animals but they were unable to keep them for any period of time. I mean they are an airport not a holding facility. So after a period of time they would then take the animals to the adge of the airport and release them. The animals had a straight shot right into the glades. THis practice was holted in the mid to late 80's and I am pretty sure it doesn't happen anymore, but the effect is still there. Today there is relatively large populations of burms and retics as well as monkeys and exotic birds, which are not native to the area. So yes there is populations of these animals and yes the gators do help but truth be told the gators are the large snakes only predators so they do pretty well. Hope this brings a little more insight in to the problem. Todd

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