Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Animal (Rights) Planet once more bring us some interesting (propaganda) programming - Killer Aliens! - The Animal Planet special, debuting in a two hour special on Sunday, March 14, 2010 from 8-10 PM ET/PT. The Sunshine State is being overrun by lethal Burmese pythons, feral hogs, voracious Nile monitor lizards, and Gambian rats the size of cats.

More info - http://www.examiner.com/x-4819-Cable-TV-Examiner~y2010m2d26-Killer-Aliens-explores-invasive-species-on-Animal-Planet

Plus -

"Invasive species have become a serious issue in the U.S. The front lines are expanding, and no one knows where they are headed next," says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet. "The stories of these creatures' proliferation make for fascinating, important and compelling television."

We also get FATAL ATTRACTIONS!

"Primates and Big Cats and Snakes, Oh My...Animal Planet Explores Cautionary Tales of Love Doomed From the Start"

http://press.discovery.com/us/apl/press-releases/2010/primates-and-big-cats-and-snakes-oh-myanimal-plane/

"Owners unhesitatingly share their experiences with exotic pets and offer explanations as to why their love for these deadly animals are worth the risk for something horrible -- even death - to happen"

Amazing. Its a big push by Animal Plnet, and the folks who work there and run it, to discredit us, I think. Its about more then ratings.

They seem to want to make the people keeping these KILLER ALIENS! looks nuts, and then they don't count for squat when it comes down to voting, or their individual rights. Is there any way to really make a dent on Animal Planet over this? Run an add about them passing misinformation off as facts? Hold them accountable for spreading misinformation?

Dave Salmoni makes spouts his anti exotic pet ownership sentiments on Larry King Live -

http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1003/05/lkl.01.html
(its down the bottom he talks about snakes & exotic pet ownership)

"PROBST: So is there ever a time, after this whole hour we've spent talking with all these -- is there ever a time that it would make sense for a person who is not trained, even though they may think they are qualified, to have a pet like this?

SALMONI: I think the obvious answer is never. These are not pets. You can't even use an exotic animal and the word pet in the same sentence. You cannot tame a wild animal. You can train them, you can handle them, you can't tame them."

Really. Wow. THAT is what the American Public is getting spoon fed, over and over and over. That we, as keepers, are mentally deficient, obsessed hoarders, with no right mind, and all our animals are mobile loaded weapons, waiting to get loose and save them.

And some more...

"SALMONI: That's the thing. Everyone's got their relationship. Everybody thinks they're not going to be the one. They all know that other people get attacked, but they're not going to be the one. I liken it to people that go out driving on the highway. We all know that people die in car accidents but we always go driving thinking we won't be the one. Unfortunately with wild animals, you'll always be the one if you don't know what you're doing.

PROBST: Are we in trouble in terms of laws and regulations?

SALMONI: I think definitely we need to look at the people that are doing it right. And they need to sit down together and try and come up with laws that prevent people from making these pets. Get rid of those black markets, get rid of those guys who have got these animals in their backyard that are giving the bad press for these animals and are putting these animals in situations that not only do they kill people, but they get killed themselves. So these animals are definitely the ones that are getting hurt in this."

I know my opinion of Dave Salmoni has most definitely changed.

They need to point out the vary different reasons people keep mammals and reptiles. When someone gets a big cat or a chimp it is usually a baby that is bottle fed and taken care of like we would a human baby to some extent. Most if not all herps are on their own from birth and have in my opinion the strongest drive for independence of most animals. Add the fact most herps don't respond to vocal or audible cues to the list of differences. I've always said that if you can only care for something that shows affection in return points to how shallow someone can be.I have never heard these points mentioned and feel that lumping everyone who keeps something deemed a exotic animal will always be a misrepresentation no matter what they are a expert at.

As I've said before, Perhaps Animal (Rights) PROPAGANDA Planet would be a more fitting name. Wouldn't surprise me if a few sizeable checks were from H$U$ were floating around behind the scenes to get this aired...

No doubt there is an agenda behind these programs,

www.rexano.org/NewsArchivePages/Animal_Planet_REXANO.pdf

I don't know if this is true but a friend of mine with 2 horses ,has herps also was telling me more people are killed by horses in a yr than all the reptile attacks combined in decades and some.

I doubt any politician will push to stop horse ownership .

Here is an article about this in the Minnesota Star Tribune. There is a comments section below.

CiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr" target="_blank">www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/86689917.html?elr=KArksCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

What we must remember is this is a all out attack at all levels of the hobby.They are comeing at us from all directions and not slowing down.I do not think it is going to stop.How this has happened I do not know but this is very real.In a few short years it will most likely be over.We are to small of a group to cover every angle that has been thrown.Legislation is coming faster than can be kept up with.This has been funded by us every dime given to save the animals was put away for this day now the time has come.While I must admit tigers do not belong in an apartment or even a burm.There are people that have the ability to keep these animals and should have the right.I keep venomous snakes and have for 34 years.I have bred many species .The problem is not going away,this agenda is set and will be reached on many levels over the next few years.It has already been met in many areas good luck to every one.
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Archie Bottoms

you could turn on Animal Planet and see Steve wrangling crocs and snakes and educating people on the importance of conservation etc. Even the other sub-par hosts at the time (Corwin, Stevens, etc) were interesting to watch. Turn it on now and its either animal cops or animal attack videos and now this nonsense over the Everglades.

you couldn't have said it any better. Regardless of how you felt about how Steve Irwin got his message of conservation out, he was a positive person for the cause. Ever since he passed away, the programming has gone to showing why we should fear this animals vs love them. Also has anyone else noticed how many HSUS commercials come on the channel. It is very obvious where they get alot of funding from now-a-days.
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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!!!!!

Is that people are generally idiots. Seriously, this is a fact of life, and these are the kind of people that the media caters to. Most people are too stupid to look at the facts and would rather have someone else tell them their interpretation of the 'facts' (always based on their agenda). With our luck enough people will see those shows and support legislature that bans the keeping of anything other than cats and dogs. Why? Because the stereotypical American family has a dog and/or a cat, and that is normal. We are outside the 'norm', and when you choose to do something different that may go against the grain you will always be met with opposition, because as I said, most people are idiots that need to be told what to think and how to live.

Well ryan I guess we are the thinkers.
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Archie Bottoms