GAZETTE-JOURNAL (Reno, Nevada) 12 September 08 Game Wardens track source of clawed frogs, seize dozens more across Nevada (Edwin Lyngar)
Game wardens with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) tracked down a source of prohibited African clawed frogs found throughout Nevada over the past few weeks, seizing 68 more frogs from homes across the state and fining the company that sent the frogs $3,600.
Florida-based Growafrog.com paid the fine on Tuesday and agreed not to ship any more illegal frogs to Nevada. Cooperating with the state's investigation, the company provided customer records to NDOW, allowing game wardens to contact people who unknowingly purchased the frogs over the Internet.
"I have been amazed at the level of cooperation we have gotten from citizens across the state," said Cameron Waithman, game warden captain leading the investigation. "People seemed to really understand the danger these frogs pose to our ecosystem, and were very cooperative in turning them over to game wardens."
Game wardens received calls and seized frogs in at least seven counties in Nevada, according to Waithman.
Game wardens started the investigation last month with the seizure of 119 African clawed frogs from three Reno homes. The publicity surrounding the case prompted other people around Nevada to call NDOW to turn in the illegal frogs. These calls allowed game wardens to track the source back to Growafrog.com and ultimately the seizure of 187 illegal frogs.
"This was never about writing tickets to people who were shipped these frogs," said Rob Buonamici, chief game warden at NDOW. "This investigation came together very quickly and the public have been onboard since day one."
It is illegal to possess African clawed frogs in Nevada as they pose a serious danger to native frogs and ecosystems if they escape from captivity. The president of the company, Paul Rudnick, said he was aware that the frogs are illegal in Nevada, but a mistake was made at their facility.
There still may be other sources for these frogs out there or frogs of which NDOW is unaware. NDOW is asking anyone who has any information or frogs to contact NDOW through the Operation Game Thief Hotline at (800) 992-3030.
These frogs are not the only or even the newest threat posed by non-native species. In fact, over the past several weeks game wardens have seized a variety of prohibited wildlife including African clawed frogs, piranhas, a freshwater shark and even a cobra.
"Like many States across the country we have real concerns regarding the importation and possession of prohibited species," said Captain Waithman. It's not hard to imagine the havoc we could face if these animals escaped and we ended up with a wild population of cobras or piranha in Nevada. These prohibited species are not only a danger to our ecosystem; they are a danger to our citizens."
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.
Game Wardens track source of clawed frogs