Daily Reptile News

Animals After Dark live show

Animals After Dark is an afternoon and evening extravaganza starring Brian Barczyk, owner of BHB Enterprises and SnakeBytesTV, and also starring Jim Nesci, owner of Cold Blooded Creatures, along with his trained 8 foot alligator Bubba. The Chicago Pet Sales and Educational Expo is proudly bringing you this event on Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM or 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center, located at 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073. You will be glued to your seat as Jim Nesci walks out on stage with Bubba, his trained 8 foot alligator and other amazing reptiles! Then you will jump out of your seat with excitement as you watch Brian Barczyk perform with his SnakeBytesTV crew live! Tickets are only $15 each and $10 for children under 10 for the full night of events! Children under 3 are free.

Alligator rescuer may need rescuing himself

As many of you know by now The Reptile Guy, Mike Hopcraft has been in the news recently for his rescue work in relocating an American Alligator. Well the plot thickens. Apparently Mike was paid a visit by Conservation officers and is now under investigation for illegal transport and possession of an American Alligator but wait, He was told he could perform the rescue so whats going on. I had the privilege to speak to Mike via phone and he states that they believe its a big misunderstanding between the Ministry of Environment and the Conservation Officers. Unfortunately government officials are out for holiday break so we will have to wait and see what the next move is when they come back but as for now the investigation stands. Mike has said he will keep us up to date on what happens when the feds return to office after the holidays.

S373 is dead!

USARK Victorious in Close of 111th Congress
The 111th Congress has come to and end! And with it three federal bills have fallen to the titanic efforts of USARK and the Reptile Nation. As you know USARK engineered an 11th hour campaign to keep those who would destroy our young industry from adding S373, aka ‘The Python Ban’, to a large Natural Resources omnibus put together by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). Although much pressure was applied by the Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and the Humane Society of the United States, USARK was able to block the addition of S373 to this massive bill.
As originally written S373 and its US House companion bill HR2811, collectively known as ‘The Python Ban’, would have added all 47 species of Python to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. USARK successfully engaged both bills at the staff and member levels. Both bills were subsequently amended and no longer identical making them more difficult to reconcile. Even though both bills passed out of their respective committees USARK was able to block several attempts at a vote to pass them.
Also, HR669 the ‘‘Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act’’ if passed would have banned most non-native animals in the USA. The bill was written largely to reflect the view of the Defenders of Wildlife and would have set up a “white list”, guilty until proven innocent approach to screening non-native animals. If the bill had passed it would have devastated Herpetoculture, Aquaculture, pets and exotic animals. USARK spearheaded the largest grassroots effort in more than 30 years generating almost 50,000 written letters opposing HR669. The pet industry and exotic animal interests contributed to the monumental grass roots effort. USARK led the charge that stopped HR669 in committee.
Now with the close of the 111th Congress all three threats to the Reptile Nation have been defeated. S373, HR2811 and HR669 are all dead! Andrew Wyatt, President of USARK, said, “I can’t think of a better present to give the Reptile Nation for Christmas!” But Wyatt added, “Although we have a great victory for Christmas we still have to deal with the Rulemaking at US FWS that would do the same thing as S373 & HR2811. And don’t be surprised if Defenders of Wildlife tries to introduce a bill in the Senate similar to HR669 in early 2011…”
So the fight will continue, but today we celebrate a great victory for the Reptile Nation! We now have the tools, experience and voice to mount effective strategies to protect our own interests.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from USARK!

Is a Python free in Oshkosh?

According to a recent CraigsList posting there is a rare African Python roaming free in Oshkosh. The posting lists the animal as big and hard to handle. The posting also mentioned they animal is believed to have escaped via a dryer vent between 7 and 10:30pm Monday night. City officials state that keeping a snake like that is punishable by a fine of $232, According to the city code no snake larger than 3 feet can be kept within the city, The posting states the snake is 21 feet long and weighs about 71lbs which raises red flags right away for anyone who keeps snakes. Anyone who keeps snakes can tell you a snake that big and weighing that little is for sure a snake which is ether malnourished or closing in on death or both. Police currently are holding no stock in the posting and believe it is only a hoax as the poster did not leave any contact information for anyone who found his snake.

The local Oshkosh Humane Society which deal with reptiles at their shelter says that Oshkosh has experienced sub freezing temps for the past several days and there is no way an African Python would survive in there current weather conditions.

Family may lose Crocodile after 47 years

Charlene the Crocodile first came home after her mother was shot in 1963. John Casey who has cared for the Crocodile for the past ten years while his father was ill and recently passed away is trying to get the permits transferred into his name but apparently is running into some red take with the regulators. While Mr Casey has received a temporary 12 month permit the government is requesting further training and fail safes before granting any permanent permits which Mr Casey is calling unnecessary. They are asking that he erect a fence around the Crocodiles enclosure, get a letter from a  Zoo stating they will help with handling if necessary as well as Mr Casey complete a formal handling course. Mr Casey believes these requirements are not necessary because of his long standing care of the Crocodile. Apparently safe for the time his father lost his hand to the animal they claim its a fairly gentle reptile.

I have to be honest and think realistically about the requirements here for a minute. I personal dont see a problem with them. We all see and feel the current regulation that we are facing here in America and while I agree someone with the proper facility and training and ability should be able to maintain an apex predator I would want to know if a neighbor had one they were at least trained in how to handle it and had help if necessary. A fence to keep it in would be a nice plus as well.

Douchebag sentenced to 30 years in child porn case

John Joseph Maillet who was charged and convicted of using his collection of snakes to lure a young girl into his how and pose for nude pictures has finally been sentenced.

A federal Judge in Mississippi has put Mr Maillet away for the next 30 years. Here at DRN we are so happy to see this case finally over. While I do not think justice was served here “I would have been a lot harder on him” Its nice to know this story which has put a bad taste on the reptile community is finally over. Hopefully we never have to hear from him again.

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