BAN ON BOAS & PYTHONS!! - HR6311 Reintroduced as HR669

[Halley]

I know this forum is more about geckos, but I think this deserves some attention on this forum as well. We’re next!

http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publi...tic_animal_importation_introduced_012709.html

If the link dosen't work for some, here's what the article says.

January 27, 2009
The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International welcomed the introduction yesterday of the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 669) in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam).
The bill is designed to prevent the introduction and establishment in the United States of nonnative wildlife species that may harm the economy, the environment, human health or native wildlife. H.R. 669 would require the federal government to assess the risk of nonnative wildlife species proposed for importation and, with public input, decide if the importation of these animals should be allowed or prohibited.
"Each year, millions of wild animals are captured overseas and imported into the United States," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS. "This trade results in the suffering and death of large numbers of animals, poses unnecessary risks to public health and jeopardizes native wildlife populations here and abroad. We are grateful to Congresswoman Bordallo for working to address this global problem."
Imported wild animals may escape or may be let loose by owners who cannot properly care for them. These animals sometimes die from starvation, predation or exposure. Sometimes, however, they thrive — putting people, domestic pets and native wildlife at risk.
Facts
• Under current regulations, the Fish and Wildlife Service can declare species "injurious," making it illegal to import these animals or sell them over state lines as pets. However, this process typically takes years to complete and occurs after species are established, when eradicating them can be expensive, inhumane and nearly impossible.
• Congresswoman Bordallo represents the island of Guam, where brown tree snakes accidentally introduced after World War II have decimated native bird and lizard populations.
• According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2005 the United States imported the following numbers of live, wild animals: nearly 88,000 mammals; 259,000 birds; more than 1 million reptiles; more than 5 million amphibians and more than 200 million fish.
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora aims to ensure sustainability and humane treatment in the international wildlife trade, but many species are not covered and even covered species may be harmed by trade.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
Humane Society International is the international arm of The Humane Society of the United States, one of the world's largest animal protection organizations — backed by 10.5 million people. HSI is creating a better future for animals and people through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide— On the web at hsi.org.

Sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/usarkHR6311/index.html

 

[pastelball]

It would be nice if they would work on fixing the economy rather than working on this bill. Anyone that supports this bill in the government should be removed. Bring the government back to the people instead of career politicians

 

[GeckoStud]

It would be nice if they would work on fixing the economy rather than working on this bill. Anyone that supports this bill in the government should be removed. Bring the government back to the people instead of career politicians

I agree... I think its funny what some politicians consider to be important business... "What, ban snakes, yeah that sounds important! What the economy is in shambles? Who cares... this bill sounds much more interesting and is sure to piss more people off HAHA!"

.........friggin politicians....

 

[Kay]

It would be nice if they would work on fixing the economy rather than working on this bill. Anyone that supports this bill in the government should be removed. Bring the government back to the people instead of career politicians

You couldn't be anymore correct.

 

[snowgyre]

Alrighty, I feel that I need to help clarify this issue a bit considering I'm getting my PhD in wildlife biology and know a bit more about the background of this bill than most folks.

This bill is to help prevent the spread and introduction of reptiles with the potential to cause significant harm to wildlife. In northern states this isn't much of an issue, because most exotic reptiles would perish during the long, harsh winters. However, in the southern U.S. exotic reptiles that have either escaped through accidents or through deliberate releases by irresponsible pet owners have caused tremendous impacts on native wildlife.

For example, the Key Largo Woodrat is an endangered species with a very small population size. Burmese pythons have recently invaded the island from established feral populations of the snake in the everglades. Many Key Largo Woodrats have been found in the guts of euthanized feral burmese pythons. Introduced, invasive brown anoles are competing with native green anoles and shifting the habitat use by native species. Many species of birds in Hawaii and other islands have been driven extinct by invasive brown snakes.

This bill is not advocating a complete ban on big snakes or other reptiles that could pose issues if they were released into the wild, at least not to my understanding. Instead, it's calling for more close regulation of an otherwise unregulated interstate trade in exotic reptiles, especially to regions where those reptiles could devastate native wildlife.

Fauna and flora in the New World evolved in relative isolation to the rest of the world, and our native plants and animals often do not compete very well with invasives that are brought in because the imported plants and animals are hardy and easy to keep in captivity.

I will honestly admit that I was against this legislation when it first came out, but after talking with several U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists, wildlife biologists in Florida and Georgia, and staff of the Department of Natural Resources in Georgia and Florida, I can see why something like this has been brought to the table. Many of you may not be aware of how bad the invasive reptile problem is in the southeast. I highly encourage you to read more by going to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

We all love our reptiles and we are all doing the best we can to protect not only our cherished pets, but also the native reptiles, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife we have in our own backyards. If it came down to it, would you truly sacrifice a native species in order to keep a non-native animal that is not in peril of extinction and could cause significant harm if it escaped? I honestly don't think this bill will end up being that bad, but I do believe we need to keep our priorities straight as responsible stewards of the herpetofauna of the world.

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I have to respectfully disagree about this particular piece of legislation, which is more of a hatchet than a fine-tuning out only the dangerous species. Make no mistake they do NOT specify which herps would be permitted and banned - there is no wording in the legislation, at last that this reader could make out. According to what I read they can specify this at a later time after the legislation is passed! That is outrageous to say the least. There would be no import, export or interstate transportation of these as of yet specified species of any type of wildlife! This includes our beloved geckos and many more forms of wildlife. Here is the original text and status of the legislation:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-669

I saw a great post on the Gecko Resource forums here about this:

http://www.forums.repashy.com/miscellaneous-reptile-discussion/11670-hr669-possible-reptile-exotic-ban.html

It just takes a second to join up if you don't belong. Since there are valuable links there for you to use to mail the involved legislators I did not cut and paste here. I will ask the poster to post here also. Get writing people!