Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi.
I'm trying to confirm if a CBW permit is needed to ship Spec Caiman across state lines? I've never heard they were but someone mentioned they are required due to similarities to Yacare?

Input and or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

You will get mixed answers depending on who you speak with, but if you talk to Mike Carpenter at USFWS who is the guy in charge of CBW permits, he has you need a CBW permit for that species.

You see that there are tons of people who ship spec's across state lines and I to date know one has had any problems with USFWS about this ... but you never know if they will start enforcing the regulation on this species or not, I think there main concern was stopping the species from coming into the USA which they did.

Also, I think you would have a hard time getting a CBW permit for Spec caimans, as I dont think anyone has that species listed on there CBW permits at this time.

That makes sense.
All I can find on their site is regarding spec imports into the US, nontheless I want to play it safe.
Thanks.

I agree, thats why I dont mess with pure Spec's, Brown's or Yacare's with regards to commercial sales, USFWS would for sure get involved with Yacares, I doubt the USFWS is concerned with the Spec's and Brown's but still I wouldnt want to be the one that gets nailed on a Federal ESA violation.

The Special Rule for the Caiman is VERY close to the special rule used for American gators, Nile croc's and Saltwater croc's BUT these other species specify live specimens and eggs can cross state lines in interstate commerce where as the Caiman rule doent specify. This is the reason there is debate on the law, 1 USFWS agent will tell you its fine and another will tell you its illegal, Mike Carperter heads up CBW permiting and he says you cant send across state lines in interstate commerce without ESA or CBW permits used ..... I take his word for it.

Sorry about my last post .... I really need to double check what I type or get spell check