A subject has come up on another board I read and I'd like to get opinions from some of the folks who post here, since so many of you have been in this hobby for years and are successful breeders and additionally very well versed in reptile husbantry.



When if ever is it OK in your opinion to collect endangered species from the wild? Does anyone have mortality rates for imported reptiles or how many out of say 100 animals would be expected to make the transition to healty captive, how many would perish?



In an ideal world endangered species would be collected by experienced breeders and personally brought into this country then passed on to individuals that have proven through years of successful breedings their expertise with their choosen species, all would be handled in a legitimate fashion.



In reality what usually happens? Are the animals collected by locals who then attempt to sell them to importers and upon hitting this country go to the highest bidder? Does potential loss of life justify perhaps being able to save an endangered species through captive breeding efforts? Example the California Condor, who has since seen reintroduction to the wild.



I'm not a animals rights supporter or some PETA troll just curious on the opinions of other boa enthusiasts.

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