Vic M. is so right on this issue. If it were just facts and risk management analysis, we as keepers would probably endure. But sadly highly emotional people who skillfully use political manipulation of the press and legislators , creating hysteria etc. are very much against us keep ANY animals...you really would find some research on PETA and many other groups edifying/frightening. They are far better financed and organized than we, I have no idea of there numbers but it is considerable. There is almost nothing they won't do to further there agenda, and deceptions and bias are the rule.

Further, introduced vectors of agricultural pests etc. are a valid concern, and it can be prevented. There is a model for all this nonsense, the falconers came under unwanted scrutiny years ago, and they knew it was naiive and stupid to have the Govt. solve problems. They organized and established protocols and standards, and saved their esoteric and historically rich sport by doing so. With all the hysteria associated with reptiles, even tortoises, it is hard to keep people on the topic. Tortoise keepers, or failed tortoise keepers, do have some skeletons in the closet, not just snake keepers, i.e. the spread of URI in gopher tortoise populations, so concern may be warranted and we need to be proactive and guide intelligent legislation and ordinances and overview in the future. Vic H (west coast)

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