Our first meeting of 2005 was well attended. There were two main items on our agenda: Bob Fay was taking us on a "behind the scenes" tour of the herps of the Nature Center, and we needed to discuss the upcoming anti-herp bill in the NC legislature.
There were a number of attractive herps at the meeting: Chris brought his Corn Island Boa
Teri and Scott have a Jackson Chameleon
Two of 24 baby boas, Chris
A young boa, Teri
Bob gave a brief history of the place: it started as a Roadside Zoo, too small, "bad" in many ways - too many animals in tiny cages, etc. It was closed and reopened as a Nature Center, mainly focussing on local/native animals and plants. The aim is to develop appreciation for the flora and fauna of the Southern Appalachians with a hoped for result of desire to conserve.
Most of the animals here cannot be released; they are imprinted on humans or they have been injured and cannot survive in the wild. Wildlife rehabbers and confiscations are major sources. Many of the herps are, in fact, releasable, but the question is now, "Where?".
The Red Wolf project started with 14 animals - a very limited genetic stock. They are now outbreeding, being sent to other zoos and centers where they will not be exposed to humans so there may, in time, be a releasable population.
The Nature Center is always looking for Volunteers and Volunteer displays in the herp line.
Below are pictures of some of the animals we saw on our tour!
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Go to the website http://www.reptilicusreptiles.net/ for information on how to contact your senators.
Note that Animal Control won't understand what kind of boa you have: confiscate, then research.
Ask for statistics to back up such "inherently dangerous boids" as Carpet Pythons, Diamond pythons, etc. Mention education, captive breeding lessening the need for wild caught animals, conservation of the rainforest, etc.
And at the end of the evening, Chris brought out this lovely creature
