Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone heard any info on the meetings with FWC and the Charley Crist about the inquiry on business and internet sales on burms in Florida and coming into Florida. The news mentioned they are wanting to an Burms totally. But we all know how the news incorrectly reports stuff.

Tom
i know im a corn person but its still our rights

TALLAHASSEE, Fl - Governor Charlie Crist met with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officials Wednesday on the subject of snakes.
The agency is considering asking the state to ban the sale of Burmese pythons like the one that killed a Sumter County girl last month. "First and foremost the most important thing is to protect the people. So when there's a safety factor involved in it that's a priority," said Gov. Crist.

While a ban is considered, officials want to see stricter regulations for snake owners, including a requirement to put micro-chips in the reptiles and strict fines for those caught turning them loose. Mike Sole was at the meeting Wednesday. He is the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and says, "the longer you wait, the more expensive, trying to control the problem will be."

The Governor praised the commission's efforts in hunting pythons. Officials estimate tens of thousands of the non-native snakes
are loose in the Everglades. Hunters have captured and killed just six so far.

Bobby Rex owns Scales in Brandon. He says snake owners need to be smart. "To keep an exotic (snake), you have to know a little bit more than just throwing kibble in a bowl."

He doesn't sell Burmese pythons because of all the permit issues involved, but he does sell other species of pythons and large boa constrictors. He doesn't want to see responsible pet owners punished. "If you don't keep your dog locked in your yard, they take it away. If you don't keep locked in it's cage, they take it away. Don't punish me because someone else does it incorrectly," said Rex.

Rex says just the talk of banning any kind of snake is bad for business, and it ever happens for real, he says it could eventually force him to close up shop.
"I think that if it's the larger species, the regulation that is in place is adequate. I think they just need to enforce the current laws, they don't need more."

Along with looking into an all out ban on Burmese pythons, wildlife officials say they may also ask the state to stop allowing internet sales of those snakes. Meanwhile they also agreed to extend the Everglades hunt past the original end date.
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Officials-consider-Burmese-python-ban/0mcy1gWfI0GYEMud1Ofexw.cspx

What I don't understand is that the FWC and current laws already require microchipping and have fines for the intentional release.

Here's an example of who's not following through. I changed addresses in Dec and mailed my address change to the FWC. As part of that change I have to fill out a permit sheet again (part A) that lists the GPS location of my house, FEMA flood info, hurricane zone info, vet info, etc. No big deal...I did it and mailed it in. Well, my permit expires in July and I notice that they sent the renewal to my old address. I fill out the renewal and mail the check. I get a response letter that says since I changed address, I have to fill out the permit sheet part A with all the info I just mentioned. Well...I did that when I moved, trying to be the responsible Burm owner they want us to be. I don't know what happened to my first copy. I hate to even ask because I don't want to bring any attention to myself, LOL!

Reading releases like this makes me so angry I cant see straight.
"Protect the people"????? Well if thats the case BAN large breed dogs. It is without question they kill more people than snakes ever have.
"Microchip and prosecute people releasing their snakes"??????? As stated before, it is already mandatory to microchip. If a animal accidentally escapes, thats one thing. I think a fine would be sufficient. As far as intentional releases, NO ONE HAS EVER been caught doing so.
Praise for the eradication program????? Out of the estimated "tens of thousands"(who came up with this garbage??) only six have been captured! WHOOPPTY DOOO! No offense to Greg, Shawn and company, but maybe, just maybe, there just are not that many down there.
This whole thing stinks of corruption out of the office of Bill Nelson to me.
-----
1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Mollie"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie"

This is just more propaganda press crap that will have no meaning or affect on any Pythons here or anywhere else. To even suggest that "python hunts" will have any effect is a joke in the first place.....
-----
Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I agree with Tom when he says the hunt probably won't do anything to control them. However, I'm glad they're doing it because I've had friends get in trouble for catching pythons in the park and I think that's ridiculous. I do think there are probably tens of thousands of pythons out there though. I've probably caught close to 100 myself.

Mike