Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I'm looking desperatley for some information regarding the laws in Costa Rica regarding collection of wild individuals, places in which to do so, and difficulty of getting them out of the country. If it is not possible to collect them in the wild, does anyone know how to contact one of the breeding facilities or farms there? I would at least like to hand select some. Also, I need information regarding the same questions for Panama. I know that D.pumillo 'Almirante' is being exported, and I will be in the Bocas del Toro area anyways. Any information would be MUCH APPRECIATED. Thanks in advance!

It is illegal to collect ANY wild herp in Costa RIca.

Currently there is only 1 authorized exporter in Costa Rica...they do not breed amphibs. I recently ran across Phyllobates vittatus from a captive breeder inquiring about their origin, to verify they are in fact vittatus, as this species is only found around the Osa Peninsula region.

The only way, they could LEGALLY have come out of Costa Rica, would've been via a scientific collecting trip(ie, zoo) or smuggled into Panama (or out of Costa Rica directly).

I heard that they are stopping exportation of darts from Panama and are sending them back from the U.S. if they do make it here.
Best bet is to just buy captive-bred animals that are in the U.S., it's not like they are hard to come by.

I hadn't heard that, but wouldn't be surprised.

I just recently located Cb Phyllobates vittatus which is confined to Costa Rica.

There were a few in the arrow frog forum, in May. I had two others, but I can't remember where I read it at. Apparently Fish and Game/Wildlife are holding or sending back shipments of frogs from Panama. I'll see if I can find the others.
-tom

Thanks for the info guys! I was hoping to at least go see a ranch in Panama, does anyone know of any? What is the name of the exporter in Costa Rica? I would like to know where all these pumilios are coming from out of Panama. Man exporter info is hard to find!!! I knew that Phyllobates luburgis could be found in Costa Rica, but not P. vittatus. I am definetly going to explore the Osa penninsula, it will be amazing to see some dendrobatidae in the wild, a first time for me.
Link

From what I've read, the ones that are actually making it to the US and to dealers are being sold as "farm raised" in Costa Rica or Panama. Whether or not that's actually the truth is beyond me. There are some dealers in the classifieds that are notorious for selling wild-caught animals, and not just frogs either, snakes, lizards, if it can be caught and sold, they will. I try to do business, whether it be snakes or frogs, with a few select people. As far as finding a contact in Costa Rica or Panama, you'll be hard pressed to find anyone that will give up their sources. You have to remember, it'll tap into the US importers pocket to do so, especially when the animals they get cost them a tenth of what they will sell them for in the US. I'm working on someone right now in Costa Rica and have made very little progress, so I guess patience is a virtue when finding the right person.
-good luck and please, save the wild populations for the wild.

Good luck finding the exporter. It just takes persistence.

I'll be in Buffalo giving a talk on the 19th if you make it to that show. Will have a few snakes on display.

Later.
Matt

Try contacting the countrys consolate office for animal exporters information.