Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just found this on PBS's website. They will be broadcasting in february an episode of NATURE titled "Invasion of the giant pythons." If the text in the press release is any indication this show will put giant constrictor ownership in a pretty dim light. And for those who remarked a couple weeks back on Nigel Marvin not speaking up on his Network TV late night spot... he is producing this show.
here's the link
http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/nature/invasion_of_the_giant_pythons

I wonder where they got funding for production of this show??? HSUS maybe
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Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM

I helped set up that enrire show and have seen the European version. It did NOT turn out like I attempted to influence the message but ALL IN ALL it is the fairest potrayal yet of the Pythons here in Florida. For instance I arranged to have some of the many predators that eat Pythons be showcased doing just that. Nigel pretty much lets the viewer decide if they are in fact injurious. Also he talks about Hurricane Andrew extensively as a possible if not probable reason for introduction. Actually I think the European version was very well done and I'll let you make your own decisions...I personally asked Nigel if he would produce this show with the Herp Industry in mind. All I asked is that the truth be told. In all fairness I think he did a pretty good job....THE TITLE HOWEVER SUCKS...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Tom,
this is what the executive producer is quoted saying in the press release “This film is a sobering look at the impact on our vanishing wilderness caused by exotic pets
gone awry,” said Fred Kaufman, Series Executive Producer. “Not many pet owners are prepared
to care for their baby pythons once they double in size in one year. Just goes to show that these
magnificent animals belong in the wild and not at home.”
Just don't see how that statement is helpful to the herp industry in any way.

I'm in total agreement with you. This entire film was my idea with the idea of getting the truth out. I can only hope it doesn't come back and bite me in the a$%^s. The PBS version I have NOT seen yet just the European version....
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

another not so great idea Tom, good job!
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Josh & Krysty Hutto

Various Ball Pythons, boas, dogs, cats, fish, a couple sulcatas and a few other odds and ends.

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

You know Josh, at least I tried and am trying my best. I've given thousands of dollars and hundreds of man hours and just who the hell are you? A johnny come lately who has a HUGE opinion but that's about all you do. You give a LOT of opinions when your not advertising other folks success but it doesn't impress me nor do I think many other people. How much money have you given? How many manhours unless you count giving your opinon as actual work towards fighting the bills. Actually myself and everyone else who knew Nigel expected the very best to come from his help. Since we are friends I took it one step further. I AT LEAST MADE A HUGE EFFORT. COME ON JOSH DON'T DISAPPOINT LET'S HEAR SOME MORE OF YOUR OPINIONS OF WHICH I VALUE SO MUCH FOR YOUR GREAT STOREHOUSE OF WISDOM...LOL
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

well first off I mean that comment with the utmost sarcasm. However since you thought it was required to attack me, I'll answer some of your concerns. I am a member of USARK and PIJAC and donate money or animals whenever possible for any auctions or fund raisers (maybe not thousands but I give what I can afford to) and as far as time spent on fighting these laws, I have personally visited my senators and congressmen in Florida and since I've moved to South Carolina, I have appointments made to visit the onces her as well, I have contributed to every letter writing/phone in/fax in that has been done, taking many hours of my time to help those that make a living off these animals (I do not make a living off them, in fact I'm in the process of extremely cutting back if not getting out of reptile breeding as we are looking to expand our family soon and I would like to spend more time with the wife and children). As far as my contributions to the reptile industry, I've done my part as a hobbyist but I'm glad to see that you think you are the only one doing anything. And also as far as me advertising others success, I'm assumming you are refering to me posting pics for GCR. That's called doing a favor for friends that don't spend time on the forums. CYA.
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Josh & Krysty Hutto

Various Ball Pythons, boas, dogs, cats, fish, a couple sulcatas and a few other odds and ends.

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

That's exactly how I took it as sarcastic attack by you. If you read my second e-mail you would have seen my apology if I was wrong. I didn't see an apology from you even though I said I was offended....Thanks and CYA
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I took this as a personal attack and perhaps I shouldn't have since I can only read what you wrote. The first thing is this film was intended to portray the REAL TRUTH about the pythons here. I was assured that this would be done. In all fairness to Nigel he portrayed some of the predators utilizing the Pythons as food which NO ONE ELSE HAS. All other news reports state they have NO natural enemies here. Secondly he suggested that Hurricane Andrew could likely have been the reason for them colonizing here which every other news media reports as intentional releases by individuals within the Industry. Third he doesn't say their injurious but states and I quote "only time will tell". Also he suggest that over time they might become another tourist attraction similar to Alligators and Crocodiles. One of the things I'm unhappy about was that no footage was filmed on the 1,000 olus feral cat colony at the Ocean Reef Club which I tried in vain to get him to film. In the European version he does state that the feral cats are RESPONSIBLE for decimating the Key Largo Wood Rats and NOT the Pythons. NO ONE ELSE HAS EVEN MENTIONED THE CATS. I can assure you and everyone else I did this to attempt to help us NOT hurt us. I have only seen the European version in which Nigel is in the film. He will NOT be in the PBS version and I have no idea of the content. I do know what we filmed. The European version is by far the BEST and fairest info that I've seen up until now. Was it a mistake to do the film? Only time will tell but I assure you there are many more films that are in the process in which NONE of us is even involved with at all. I can assure you these will not be as fair as this one. All I can say is I've tried and will continue to try to help any way I can. We seem to be dealing against a stacked deck anyway as the states seem to be falling like domino's. If I offended you Josh I apologize and yes you did offend me...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

You have to admit... there is a problem with people getting in over their heads when it comes to giant snakes.... it happens all the time.... people buy their cute baby burmese python... and don't know what to do with it when it's 17 feet long...
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Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM

I agree and the more inexperienced keepers [younger ones usually] seem to make up the biggest customer base. This is why I try to stay away from selling them even. I used to breed the giants and they are a LOT of work and when the excitement fades people usually decide to get rid of them.....I still believe that people who wish to work with them should have the oppurtunity to do so however....
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I agree, and this is OUR problem. That is why, as a community, we support pet adoptions and rescues, education and have our own standards of conduct. What we don't need is a government bureaucracy trying to fix our problem.

I agree Tom..... I feel the same way... I stopped breeding them and working with them..... I am very vocal about my feelings against giant snake ownership in hopes that it may help others to see the light as I have, even though it means a constant barrage of negativity.... We have to take responsible for this monster we created... I def don't think a ban is going to solve anything though.... It will just force things underground. Showing people owning giant pythons in an everything is roses light would just look like a publicity stunt... I think showing the truth.. Showing the problems we've had contolling our industry... . owning up to our indiscretions in the past.... and showing committment to change.. that may be a better strategy
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Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM

Fred Kaufman, Series Executive Producer serves on the advisory board of The Humane Society of the United States Hollywood Division

Yeah...this should be a fair representation...

Mark
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uncommonboa.com

Does anyone else think about "Fight Club" when it comes to the HSUS? The link I've made is that they've infiltrated every level of society and they're hell bent on destruction...

Scary...
jb
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What's written above is purely my opinion. In fact, MOST of what you read on the internet is someone's opinion. Don't take it too seriously

Jonathan Brady
DeviantConstrictors.com
Deviant Constrictors picturetrail

Yeah... I get that feeling too.... I would be willing to bet some of them lurk within our forums and such as well
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Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM

Yeah the title really gave me a pretty hostile impression... I guess I'll have to watch it... Good to know it isnt just propaganda funded by HSUS and PEDA
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Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM

>>I helped set up that enrire show and have seen the European version. It did NOT turn out like I attempted to influence the message but ALL IN ALL it is the fairest potrayal yet of the Pythons here in Florida. For instance I arranged to have some of the many predators that eat Pythons be showcased doing just that. Nigel pretty much lets the viewer decide if they are in fact injurious. Also he talks about Hurricane Andrew extensively as a possible if not probable reason for introduction. Actually I think the European version was very well done and I'll let you make your own decisions...I personally asked Nigel if he would produce this show with the Herp Industry in mind. All I asked is that the truth be told. In all fairness I think he did a pretty good job....THE TITLE HOWEVER SUCKS...
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>>Tom Crutchfield
>>www.tomcrutchfield.com

Tom,

Seems like they've already decided they are injurious:

"The predatory pythons slithered into this protected wilderness and thrived, and the refuge has consequently become less a haven than a killing ground every day since then."

No offense to you, I have no doubt you've been doing everything in your power to help the hobby out. But this is really disturbing. I hope the show is more fair and balanced than the the ridiculous title and corresponding hype.

Thanks,
Ed

I got a bad feeling about this....

"invasive predatory constrictors transforming the Everglades protected wilderness into their personal killing field."