Keeping Exotic Venomous Snakes

Two Models for Keeping Exotic Venomous Snakes in Australia

Peter Mirtschin Venom Supplies Pty Ltd

Do we want exotic venomous reptiles in Australia and if so, what are the conditions under which they can be imported and kept?

The fact is, that despite existing controls which are purported to be some of the toughest in the world, many exotic venomous snakes have already been imported illegally.





The lists are comprehensive:

Venomous Snakes & Lizards smuggled Illegally into Australia

Naja kaouthia	aja siamensis
Naja sputatrix	Naja melanoleuca
Naja mosambica	Naja naja
Dendroaspis augusticeps	Cerastes cerastes
Macrovipera lebantina	Bitis gabonica rhinoceros
Bitis arietans	Agkistrodon contortrix
Agkistrodon bilineatus	Crotalus atrox
Crotalus vegrandis	Crotalus adamanteus
Sistrurus miliaris barbourii	Bothriechis schlegelii
Cerastes vipera	Vipera letasti
Heloderma suspectum

Denotes suspected species

Just as a matter of interest, the following information is provided here on other exotic reptiles illegally smuggled into Australia:

Non Venomous Snakes Illegally Smuggled into Australia

Chondropython viridis	Acantophis dumerili
Python curtes	Elaphe obsoleta quadravittata
Python regius	Elaphe obsoleta rossinali
Boa constrictor	Eunectes notaeus
Python molures bivittates	Heterodon simus
Elaphe guttata	Lampropeltis mexicana alterna
Lampropeltis triangulum	Python molurus bivattatus
Thamnophis spp.

Denotes suspected species

Other Reptiles Illegally Smuggled into Australia

Heloderma suspectrum	Crocodilis spp.
Alligator missisipiensis	Thamnophis ssp
Chamaeleo jacksonii	Gecko gecko
Eublepharis macularius	Gecko ulikowski
Hemidactylus frenatus	Euphlephares macularis
Macroclemys temminckii	Phelsume madagascariensis grandis
Iguana iguana	Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis
Trachemys s. elegans	Tupinambis
Varanus exanthematicus

Denotes suspected species

In my earlier talk I presented evidence of the overlap in government administrative controls. This overlap is presented here again.

Concern	AQIS	EA	APCC	VPC	State Fauna	Local Govt.
Risk to Environment	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Risk to Primary Industry			Y
Security	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Disease potential	Y				Y
Amenity						Y
Public Safety			Y			Y
Animal Welfare					Y

To reduce overlap in administrative processes for existing businesses, zoo and reptile parks, and provide a legitimate avenue for private keeping, I propose 2 separate permit systems for the importation and keeping of exotic and venomous reptiles:

1. Scientic & Business permits

2. Private non-profit keeping

I propose the following procedures for each method:

Scientific & Business Permit:
(NB. Business category includes government and semi-government zoos and private reptile parks)

The application is sent to a single authority which then coordinates:

(a) Decision to grant R & D or Business Permit.

(b) Environment Australia's requirements.

(c) AQIS requirements.

Private Herpetologist Syndicate*:

*(See below)

The application is sent to a single authority which then coordinates:

(a) Risk assessment & considers if permit will be granted.

(b) Whether to support recategorisation and issue permit.

(c) This Authority then recommends to EA that re-categorization be supported.

(d) Applies to E. A. for import permit.

(e) Applies to AQIS for Quarantine Approval.

*Private Herpetologist Syndicate

Syndicate Composition

-private & professional herpetologists.
-a member of a State Authority (NPWS or APCC or Museum).
-a veterinarian.


Constitution & Modus operandi

-approved by State Authority
-non profit
-funded by membership
-antivenoms pre-requisite


There is considerable evidence of illegal importing and keeping of venomous reptiles. The most compelling argument for proper control of these exotic species, is the difficulty obtaining and selecting the correct antivenoms. Dr Ken Winkel and Dr James Tibballs discuss these matters in greater detail.

This proposal aims to enhance and improve the issues of:

Risk to environment

Risk to Primary Industry

Security

Disease potential

Amenity

Public safety

Animal Welfare

Uncontrolled entry and keeping of exotic venomous species, which is apparently occuring now, must be stopped and controlled. These 2 models offer a way to cater for everyones needs and improve necessary controls and most importantly, limit numbers of exotic reptiles and amphibians entering Australia.

These proposals:

-Dispense with the VPC as part of the process and uses EA. (The VPC can still be advisers to Government).

-The process is streamlined. Both Scientic, Business & private applicants only make one application which addresses all issues once.

-Caters for private herpetologists and channels their energy into a positive legal direction.

-Reduces the chance of exotic reptile release.

-Reduces the chance of inadvertent disease escape.

-Will utilize central repositories for exotic antivenoms.

-Encourages compliance.