Frank actually gives some very good advice here, especially when it comes to V. olivaceus! The Philippines does not allow the export of V. olivaceus; it is illegal to export it, but this has never stopped the pet trade, which exported the first albino Burmese Pythons hatchlings (after stealing the adults from the zoos and breeding them) illegally to the US from Thailand. I have also seen V. salvator komaini on the US market in classified ads, those are also illegal to export from Thailand (along with all Varanus species found here). I would be very interested in seeing where those originated from! The examples could go on and on from other countries that prohibit the export of their wildlife!

Basically, if there is a will, there is a way. There are a great number of unscrupulous zoos that will make up false documentation claiming they are the progeny from zoo kept specimens (the only documented breeding of this species was 10 years ago or so) or Japan, which is a destination of many smuggled illegal animals, is also a great source of false documentation, where animals are later sent to the US or the EU. The point is if it appears legal, if it is researched, it probably actually is not. You have to be very careful! I am sure the V. olivaceus I have seen in the past were illegally brought in. They are probably now in the US or the EU now.

Cheers,

Michael

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