be thinking of the Sabogae that have come in on Panamanian shipments. There are other Islands in addition to the Pearl Islands that have Sabogae populations.
MOST Sabogae in the US are NOT from the Pearl Islands. Most are from the island of Taboga in the Bay of Panama. It, and the Pearl Islands are are under the control of the Panamanian government. And CITES export permits do not distinguish between Imperator and Sabogae.
Also there are NOT 200 or even 200 pure Panamanian boas in the US. Not even close.
The first shipment out of Panama in 2005 included 60 boas. I have a copy of the CITES if you would like to see the quantity. 3 of those boas were Sabogae. John Berry acquired them and I believe sold them to Vin Russo when he moved back to the UK.
Later in '05 another small shipment was sent out. I believe the numbers were in the teens.
Early '07 a 3rd shipment came in from Panama. That shipment had just 12 boas, and another group came in a few months ago, small group again.
I do also know a number of that first group of 60 animals DIED. I spoke with one keeper that purchased 3 pairs that later died.
Vin Russo mentions in his book that one shipment had come in, at the time of writing that was the case. By the time it was published there were a total of 3.
As you can see from these numbers there are less than 100 pure blood Panamanian boas in all of the United States. THAT IS IT!
The last shipment also included Sabogae. I have seen pictures of 2 of the boas and spoke with one friend who saw the entire group and said the all look the same (He is not a boa guy and doesn't know how to ID Sabogae). Scale counts were going to be done but I haven't heard results.
I do know that scale counts on the first 3 that came in from Panama keyed out to Sabogae. Not to mention they are textbook in appearance. Hypo Panamanian boas do NOT look like Sabogae, they look like Hypo versions of the mainland Panamanians. Also, the Hypos key out to Imperator.
I DO know that some Hypo Panamanians, and even REGULAR Hypos have been sold as Sabogae. And some Sabogae have been sold as Hypo Panamanians.
There is only one source of PEARL ISLAND Sabogae. Robert Meidinger was the ONLY person given LEGAL permission by the Panamanian government to collect boas from the Pearl Islands.
He runs a federally recognized zoo in Costa Rica. Zoocriadero World Snakes in Grecia, Alajuela, CR.
He has produced boas born in captivity in his facility and has obtained permits to export them from the Costa Rican government. He is also the only source of legitimate CR boas.
I believe one shipment of Sabogae have come into the country from his group, which would make them the only Pearl Island Sabogae in the US. I do know at least one shipment went to Germany, I do not remember the exact year but I think it was 2005.
That is the basic history covering the Panamanian Imperator and Sabogae boas of all origins.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/
http://www.BoaList.com/
