I posted some suggestions of ways to help mend this problem in the burmese forums on two threads. As an owner of large constrictors living in so fla I feel threatened by the recent bad press snakes have been getting.



In my attempt to be proactive I have come across a captive care commission created by FWC, on which a respected member of the herp world sits. My qualms with this commission is that it is legislative in nature and doesnt focus on the hobbyists point of view regardless of who is on it. We do not necessarily need more laws to regulate our hobby however I do agree something needs to be done to curb the problems associated with large constrictors.



As a result of one of my other posts someone told me about the AFH, an organization of herpetoculturists who have issued documents regarding proper husbandry etc of these animals. In the last 3-4 years of perusing these forums I have not seen them mentioned at all nor their literature recalled.



The person who replied to the other thread stated that their documents have been used to influence legislation etc but I am not familiar enough to comment on that.



What I proposed was an organization of responsible reptile keepers. What the herp world needs right now is a credible organization to provide an educational message within the stories airing about GIANT KILLER PYTHONS.



This could be accomplished in one of two ways: 1)We could create a new organization and have local chapters, regional chapters, underneath a national umbrella group or 2) We could create the umbrella organization under which all existing herp organizations could become members of.



In the very recent past, I read an article in the Sun Sentinel, a south florida newspaper, stating the decline in local herpetological societies. They blamed this on the rise in the use of the internet. Members of the local herps society interviewed stated that individuals on these forums never meet each other and have no connection to each other personally.



I think we can all agree that these comments do have some merit, albeit very little. I see these comments and the recent events in FL, as an opportunity to merge the old ways of the local herp societies into a larger organization that would be seen as a credible authority on reptile husbandry and the hobby to the general public, the media, and the nation as a whole.



This organization gives us the opportunity to create membership standards etc. furthering our mission to establish a nationwide network of responsible keepers. This can only be a positive thing for all of us in the hobby.



I would really like to get this rolling and I have already gotten a few emails from some folks expressing interest. These are just my initial thoughts so if you are interested, please email me so we can begin to discuss. A credible organization would do our nationwide community a lot of good. I urge you all to forward me your thoughts.



Thanks,

Michael

mtragash@gmail.com

954-701-1044



P.S. This is not just for owners of large constrictors or venomous but rather for ALL REPTILE KEEPERS.
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Jon

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