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There have been a few comments about snake smuggling if S373 or HR2811 should become a federal law. I know that as of now these comments are made in jest, however behind every joke like this there is a grain of sincerity. And in one of my recent letters to my Senator I discussed the possibility of a reptile black market that could arise as a result of banning the sale, trade, transport, and import of various species. Should either S373 or HR2811 pass and become laws there is a very real possibility that a black market will arise and snake smuggling will occur. HR2811 and S373 will only create problems that have not been logically considered by the legislators pushing these through, and as a result matters will be made worse: for law enforcement, for fish and wildlife offices, and for respectable herp keepers such as ourselves.
Smugglers and people buying and selling on a black market will:
1.) likely release reptiles into the wild for fear of being caught. In many areas this will not impact the environment because the reptiles most likely wont survive long enough to breed or feed. However, in areas such as Southern Florida we could see and increase in large constrictors. ..This is to say nothing the total lack of regard of the lives of the animals being released - as many would not survive.
2.) We will see an increase in poor husbandry, and likely irresponsible owners being hurt by their illegally acquired pets. People with an illegal python or boa aren't going to be running out and buying what they need to to properly take care of the animals for fear of drawing attention to themselves. Not to mention after about 5 years it will be pretty hard to come by some caging/husbandry tools. Nor will there be the resources available to learn proper husbandry. If the ban should go into effect publishers will stop printing books on python and boa husbandry, there will be fewer and fewer communities such as this - especially as the years move on and there are fewer boas and pythons in our care.
3). the reputations of responsible herp keepers, such as ourselves will be tarnished by all of this - the result could be further amendments that could lead to the collection and destruction of all legally owned pythons and boas; additional species of reptile being added to the Injurious Species list and subsequently banned, and the wrongful prosecution of many responsible herp keepers who legally own banned reptiles.
This is serious. I beg of each of you not to part take in smuggling or any black market activities. There is a lot at risk now, but engaging in illegal activities will put even more at risk. And yes - smuggling animals covered by the Lacey Act is a federal offense.
I know this sucks, and none of us want to loose our rights... especially in the light if ignorance and a total disregard for reason and science, but smuggling and black market activities are not the answer. And don't think that by engaging in such activities will show the powers that be that they were wrong, or that it will stick it to them, because it will actually have the opposite effect. It will prove to them that they were right in banning these reptiles, and the only people you will be sticking it to is those of us who are trying to remain responsible.
We need to keep our heads and stick together.
Smugglers and people buying and selling on a black market will:
1.) likely release reptiles into the wild for fear of being caught. In many areas this will not impact the environment because the reptiles most likely wont survive long enough to breed or feed. However, in areas such as Southern Florida we could see and increase in large constrictors. ..This is to say nothing the total lack of regard of the lives of the animals being released - as many would not survive.
2.) We will see an increase in poor husbandry, and likely irresponsible owners being hurt by their illegally acquired pets. People with an illegal python or boa aren't going to be running out and buying what they need to to properly take care of the animals for fear of drawing attention to themselves. Not to mention after about 5 years it will be pretty hard to come by some caging/husbandry tools. Nor will there be the resources available to learn proper husbandry. If the ban should go into effect publishers will stop printing books on python and boa husbandry, there will be fewer and fewer communities such as this - especially as the years move on and there are fewer boas and pythons in our care.
3). the reputations of responsible herp keepers, such as ourselves will be tarnished by all of this - the result could be further amendments that could lead to the collection and destruction of all legally owned pythons and boas; additional species of reptile being added to the Injurious Species list and subsequently banned, and the wrongful prosecution of many responsible herp keepers who legally own banned reptiles.
This is serious. I beg of each of you not to part take in smuggling or any black market activities. There is a lot at risk now, but engaging in illegal activities will put even more at risk. And yes - smuggling animals covered by the Lacey Act is a federal offense.
I know this sucks, and none of us want to loose our rights... especially in the light if ignorance and a total disregard for reason and science, but smuggling and black market activities are not the answer. And don't think that by engaging in such activities will show the powers that be that they were wrong, or that it will stick it to them, because it will actually have the opposite effect. It will prove to them that they were right in banning these reptiles, and the only people you will be sticking it to is those of us who are trying to remain responsible.
We need to keep our heads and stick together.
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