Private Keeping and Trade
Proposal for the private keeping and trade of exotic reptiles in VictoriaChris Hay, Rob Valentic, Mip Pugh (speaker) and Mick Pugh - Private herpetologistsAbstract In the preceding pages is a proposal for a workable system for the possession and trade of exotic reptiles in Victoria. We have formulated this proposal in an attempt to offer a solution to the growing problem of unregulated trade of exotic species within Victoria. It appears obvious that there is need for a system to allow for regulated possession and trade of exotic reptiles, due to the large number of people currently keeping them. We believe that it will require compromise on both sides to find a solution that allows the legal keeping of these animals whilst providing adequate protection to the environment. Introduction & Proposal It appears exotic animals have been in private hands in Australia for many years. As with the prohibition of anything, it simply sends the trade underground. The danger of an underground trade is that it is not regulated in any way and therefore could be potentially dangerous in the wrong hands. The benefits of a regulated system are numerous, and I believe, necessary, to ensure the current problem can be rectified. The current problem can be divided into two main areas. Firstly, how do we stop the trade of illegal exotic animals being sent into Australia? And how do we deal with the huge numbers of animals already in private hands in Australia? The illegal importation of exotic animals could only be controlled with increased security at the various points of entry into Australia. As it is unclear exactly what methods people use to import these animals undetected, it will be difficult to secure all probable methods of entry. The larger problem is how does the governing body propose to detect and confiscate all illegal exotic animals in private hands? People that possess illegal exotic animals, do so for a variety of reasons. Not all these people are going to hold a wildlife license, or be affiliated to a wildlife society etc. It would be impossible to track down all these people, and therefore ineffective in resolving the problem. Certainly, the governing body could increase fines, in an effort to dissuade potential perpetrators, however the issue of utmost importance should be the protection of the environment. We could talk about the dangers of a system that allows exotic animals in Australia, however surely that has to be a safer way to go than the current situation. Although it may seem developing a licensing system to allow the legal possession of exotic animals in Australia may cost time, money and resources, we have to compare that cost to a major disaster that could occur with the current situation. Some of the problems with the current situation revolve around the fact that this is an underground trade and therefore very few people know about it. If the accidental establishment of an exotic species were to occur now, it could be months or even years before the news of such an occurrence reaches the appropriate authorities. A system to allow the legal possession of exotic animals would not only provide people with a legal avenue to pursue their interest, it would also act as a safe-guard for the environment by monitoring the applicants and circumstances in which the animals are kept. With the implementation of a system, the governing body could take control of the situation and perhaps avoid any of the dangers that exotic animals may present in Australia. Another benefit of an implemented system is that it gives the governing body a chance to educate applicants and ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to keep exotic animals safely and securely. The licensing system could be modeled off an existing state wildlife licensing system, in respect to record keeping, annual fees etc. It would be wise to impose caging restrictions to ensure each exotic animal is housed in suitable, escape-proof housing. I would even go as far as to impose restrictions on the proposed room and building that the cages/animals are to be kept in. Conditions such as a locked, escape-proof room would be another line of defence against exotic animals being accidentally introduced into the natural environment, and perhaps prohibiting the practice of maintaining legal exotic and native animals in the same room. Applicants would have to satisfy these conditions prior to being issued a license to keep exotic animals. The concern here is that would a population of exotic animals accidentally released into natural environment may establish a viable population and therefore threaten existing native species, either through predation or competition. An established exotic species would obviously have to originate from a similar environment, particulary in respect to climate, and would have to establish in suitable numbers to become a “sustainable population”. The transmission of non-native diseases either to legal captive native animals or a population of native animals in the natural environment is another matter of concern. Once again, a licensing system would allow monitoring and testing of exotic animals, in private hands and give the governing body opportunity to educate applicants about the dangers and perhaps, signs and symptoms. Surely this would be safer than the current situation where we have no knowledge or control of what exotic species are here, or the health status of these animals. The possession of exotic venomous animals is another area that needs to be addressed. The obvious problem of maintaining an exotic venomous species is the acquisition of antivenoms and the treatment of an exotic venomous animal keeper if they were to find themselves envenomated by one of their charges. I feel to gain perspective on this matter would should turn our attention to other countries who have had experience with people maintaining exotic venomous species. If we look at the current situation in Europe, we find the formation of an “antivenom registrar”, whereby the actual keepers themselves fund their own antivenom stocks and store them at a hospital of convenience. It would have to be a condition of licensing that persons wishing to maintain exotic venomous species must first procure a supply of relevant antivenoms. Exotic venomous species would have to be maintained under strict housing and security conditions to ensure safety at all times. Applicants would have to be of acceptable experience and I believe that a testing process would have to be implemented to ensure only qualified persons entered into this situation. The facts of this situation could be summed up as follows: This is not about whether or not people should be allowed to keep and breed exotic animals privately, it is the protection of the environment. Of course we could bury our heads in the sand and pretend the problem doesn’t exist, but the consequences of such an attitude would be far more devastating than allowing Australian citizens to pursue an interest. We can argue and debate this issue back and forth, but are we willing to allow the environment suffer, purely for political reasons. Will human selfishness cause another environmental disaster to unfold before our eyes. Species known to be in Australia and approximate numbers, this list represents only a small number of keepers. Snakes
Lizards
Frogs
Information not directly appropriate to the conference was supplied and is provided here: Tarantulas Red knees Red legs Red rumps Chilie rose Chilie beautiful Goliaths Babboons Brachypelma species Delopelma species Grammostola species Campina grande birdeater Trinidad olive brown Stripe knee bird eating spider Stripe knee bird eating spider Venezuelan tiger Costa rican tree spider Poecilotheria species Ecuadorian tree spiders Scorpions Emperor Return to conference overview « home |
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