My association with northern pines is about to come to an end. For quite some time these have been my favorite animal. Though Virginia law did not allow for me to breed and sell them, I usually had one in my collection. Last year, in order to thin down my collection during the construction of the house, I moved my only one, a male, to the Salibury zoo. This year at Daytona I picked up a pair hoping to get grandfathered before moving into NC where they are protected. After various and I might add futile "e" contacts with the state I finally contacted the US Fish and Wildlife Service in NC. I told them of my problem, requested and was given the proper "state" contact.
Unfortunately, state law does allow for grandfathering but only in instances where one has held the animals since their listing in 1991. So I missed the boat and will no longer be able to work with these animals even if captive-bred. A situation that isn't new or unique but non the less unfortunate.
Perhaps it's just a coincidence but here is the bad part. The next morning at 8am sharp, my wife gets a call asking if I have any northern pines for sale! The caller said he got my number off the internet but I no longer have a web site and to my knowledge there are no listings on the forums of my old phone number much less my current one! Add to that that I have NEVER bred or sold northern pines and I have to ask if this wasn't a potential setup? Perhaps not but given the demonstrated behavior of a few rogue officials to make a name for themselves, it isn't exactly unlikely.
