Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In yet another attack on the reptile community, today Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will look to list the "Big 9" from the USGS survey published in October on the Lacey Act as injurious species:

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose to list the Burmese python and eight other large constrictor snakes that threaten the Everglades and other sensitive ecosystems as "injurious wildlife" under the Lacey Act.

Salazar made the announcement at the Port of New York, which serves as the largest point of entry in the nation for imports of wildlife and wildlife products. Last year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Inspectors at John F. Kennedy International Airport handled more than 27, 000 separate wildlife shipments valued at more than $1 billion, or 16 percent of all U.S. wildlife imports.

The proposal, which will be open to public comment before Salazar makes a final decision, would prohibit importation and interstate transportation of the animals.

"The Burmese python and these other alien snakes are destroying some of our nation’s most treasured – and most fragile – ecosystems," Salazar said. "The Interior Department and states such as Florida are taking swift and common sense action to control and eliminate the populations of these snakes, but it is an uphill battle in ecosystems where they have no natural predators. If we are going to succeed, we must shut down the importation of the snakes and end the interstate commerce and transportation of them."

This allows us yet another opportunity to refute the bad science involved with both HR2811 and S373. The FWS will publish the proposed rule change in the federal register in early February.

Once it's published, the public will have sixty days to offer comment, after which the waiting game begins again.

As soon as the comment period opens, we'll let you know what action to take, and where.

Even now, it's not too late -- or too early! -- to make calls, reach out to your senators and representatives. Let them know this proposal is based on bad science, that you're part of the reptile community and that you vote!
USF&W to add "Big 9" to Lacey Act

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Cindy Steinle
phfaust@pethobbyist.com
PHFaust
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For those of us who aren't familiar with these issues, could you explain what the "bad science" is?

Do you dispute that the snakes are destroying native habitat in the US? Or is it that you aren't sure control of the legal trade will address this problem? Or do you question the value of the Everglades?

>>For those of us who aren't familiar with these issues, could you explain what the "bad science" is?
>>
>>Do you dispute that the snakes are destroying native habitat in the US? Or is it that you aren't sure control of the legal trade will address this problem? Or do you question the value of the Everglades?

There are several discussions on the herp law forum and I will refer you there for specifics. I will address your questions however here.

>>Do you dispute that the snakes are destroying native habitat in the US?
I feel from what I have learned from non govt affiliated scientists as well as Florida F&W folks AND people living down there that this issue is excessively blown out of proportion. I also feel personally that this is a STATE issue as the problem lies in the southern tip of florida and problems with burmese pythons in that location are not going to effect Wisconsin so to speak.

Or is it that you aren't sure control of the legal trade will address this problem?
No I do not feel banning the interstate sale, trade or relocation (ie. I move from WI to MN, legally I will not be able to transport my snakes) will have a hoot of effect on the established population of burmese in the glades. I do think it will effect many small businesses that make up the reptile community. The population of burmese are being genetically tracked to a small founding gene pool which leads to the theory that they were originally displaced during a hurricane and not the massive pet dumping ground it has been touted as being. In reference to the hurricane, Florida F&W set into place certain laws requiring things such as a natural disaster plan. Florida has laws regarding this, but the federal govt is acting on a study that claims these animals will be able to live as far north as DC. The feral populations are staying in the glades and we are not locating populations in say the Panhandle. They are not migrating. The everglades is a unique environment that isnt present in say virgina. Once again this is a local issue, not a national one.

Or do you question the value of the Everglades? No one questions the value of the everglades, however what is questionable is that a law is needed nationally to make changes in a small area. I personally would be willing to bet there are other invasive species doing far more damage in the everglades that is not reported or dealt with. This is legislation and rule changes based on a very questionable study in 2008 with a questionable follow up in 2009. Certain questions such as the fact that boa constrictors do not migrate across the border into the US at the present time, however are being listed as will be able to become invasive. The fact that the numbers of animals is exaggerated to the point of insanity. Numerous things make me stop and think.

For the record, I do not personally own any animals effected by this rule change, but that does not mean it doesnt involve me.

A few links for you.

initial USGS Study

Follow up USGS Study

Response study debunking and raising questions with the science used in USGS Study

Numerous responses from Dave and Tracy Barker and others in response to the flawed studies
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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