This morning United States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Burmese python, the yellow anaconda, and the northern and southern African pythons would be added to the Lacey act as injurious wildlife in order to restrict their spread in the wild in the United States.
“Burmese pythons have already caused substantial harm in Florida,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “By taking this action today, we will help prevent further harm from these large constrictor snakes to native wildlife, especially in habitats that can support constrictor snake populations across the southern United States and in U.S. territories.”
Ashe said the Service will continue to consider listing as injurious the five other species of nonnative snakes that the agency also proposed in 2010 – the reticulated python, boa constrictor, DeSchauensee’s anaconda, green anaconda and Beni anaconda.
To read the official release, please see
http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Announces-Ban-on-Importation-and-Interstate-Transportation-of-Four-Giant-Snakes-that-Threaten-Everglades.cfm
Robert Hughes - #1 - 2012-01-17 16:33 - (Reply)
This will do nothing to stop the problem in the Everglades.
Also, if these snakes could sustain a feral population anywhere but in south Florida, don't you think we would see these populations? We don't. That means that either the science was bunk, or that the only irresponsible pet owners live in Florida....
Jason Glaser - #1.1 - 2012-01-17 16:44 - (Reply)
Completly agreed, i belive that serious snake owners and breeders such as myself see these new laws as completly unfair and rediculous. the beauty and friendship these snakes give us shouldnt be taken away but should be restricted. the problems in florida should stay in florida.
Belseth - #2 - 2012-01-17 17:14 - (Reply)
The move is reactionary and stupid. It'd be one thing to phase out commercial breeding and ban sales and transport to Florida but to do it nation wide is a disaster. What options do pet owners have when they move to a new state? Unless they can find homes the animals have to be killed. A lot of people will release animals into the wild making the problem worse not better. They should have consulted people in the trade about phasing out commercial breeding and sale as well as how to sanely create a ban in Florida. They were more interested in a photo op than rational legislation.
James - #3 - 2012-01-17 17:27 - (Reply)
Just think of this in this way remember those people when it's time to vote our government has failed its people but get use to it money talks and the lobbyist took this and ran
Tyrone - #4 - 2012-01-17 20:55 - (Reply)
So people in New Jersey have to pay for this just cause someone had a heart to release his reptiles rather then letting them drown in his home??
I would of release my snakes in front of Ken Salazars door if I knew I was going to have to abandon my snake..hope they reconsider this law..proud owner of 3 lovely boas..and many more to come..
Dan Lease - #5 - 2012-01-17 23:32 - (Reply)
This is insane. Junks science, pressure from animal rights groups, and non thinking public officals. Our government has failed. So much for the pursuit of happiness. One day I am a pet owner and the next I could be a felon.
James - #6 - 2012-01-17 23:50 - (Reply)
Between the so called us fish and wildlife people who think there cops but couldn't cut in law enforcement help get this through stop giving them and ushs money and don't vote for these people it's time we get rid of ther old farts and get in younger people who understand our views
Jim - #7 - 2012-01-18 13:54 - (Reply)
Is somebody there...to plead the other side when they decide to pass these laws?
john lopez - #8 - 2012-01-23 09:32 - (Reply)
The everglades is losing out to overdevelopment, airport expansion, excessive water drainage for farming, and theme parks. The burmese python situation can be solved by getting more experienced handlers in there to capture them. The more snakes added to the list will result in more animals being released into the everglades, as an alternative to killing them all.