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SUN-SENTINEL (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) 18 May 10 Muscovy ducks have fans, why not pythons? (Alan Rigerman is founder of Fauna Logistics. He lives in Miami.)
An editorial, many letters — all negative — about those of us who keep exotic animals. The Everglades pythons, introduced iguanas, fox pens with significant information and misinformation. Letters about the "misunderstood pit bull." There is no misunderstanding. As with my mountain lions, bred from captive stock, there is no telling when a millennia of genetics might kick in and the animal acts as nature designed it to.
Muscovy ducks have a fan club. Why? Their droppings are massive and promote disease. Larger and more aggressive than our natives, they crowd them out. Perhaps half or more of the Everglades pythons, along with the iguanas and basilisk lizards, have succumbed to our recent extended cold snap. We must be vigilant in removing as many as possible.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was the first agency to take positive steps. Stopping the importation of the so-called "reptiles of concern" could be a positive step, for the presence of these animals has primarily been caused by a few people releasing their "pets" and Hurricane Andrew destroying a number of breeding facilities. On the other hand, there is no reason to stop the importation of the ball python and other smaller pythons and boas. Forbidding interstate trade would destroy a billion-dollar-plus industry.
A professional woman, under intense pressure, left her home. She failed to provide for her two domestic cats who died horribly. I wonder who brought pressure on the State Attorney's Office to try her for a felony. She was rightly found not guilty. Some letter writers equate the death of these animals to humans, and for some reason, this newspaper continues to publish her picture with many of the letters. Hasn't she had enough grief?
Rodney Barreto, chair of the Florida Wildlife Commission, is shown with a trophy wild turkey. The gentleman is a hunter, fisherman and conservator of Florida's wildlife. A letter writer takes issue with his activity. Actually, his activities ensure that Florida's wildlife endure.
This newspaper has a significant number of letters, mostly negative, dealing with those of us who hunt, fish, keep exotic wildlife, participate in rodeos, circuses and are in the poultry, cattle or animal industry. Each letter uses language seemingly boilerplate promoted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the local Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. I wonder if these groups are responsible?
Muscovy ducks have fans, why not pythons?

" Their droppings are massive and promote disease"

That cold be said about people, too.