Daily Reptile News

Category Archives: Laws

Police: Dead alligator, lizards, snakes found in Garner home of man charged with dealing drugs

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Police say they found several dead animals, including an alligator, two snakes and two lizards, at the home of a Garner man charged with selling drugs.

Court records obtained by The News & Observer of Raleigh accuse 31-year-old Kelvin Leroy Dunston of killing the animals by not feeding them.

Police say they found the dead alligator and lizards inside separate aquariums and two dead pit bulls were found chained to a tree. One dead snake was in a box, and another in a drawer.

The full story

http://www.myfox8.com/news/sns-ap-nc–exoticanimals,0,3031987.story

State Department of Fish and Game Issues New Sport Fishing License Requirement for 2011

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Active sportfishers should take note that in 2011, all anglers age 16 and up will be required by the California Department of Fish and Game to have a sportfishing license.

Activities that require a license are not restricted to just fish or shellfish. “Taking” or “pursuing” reptiles or amphibians are also subject to the license requirements as well, as are any kind of catch-and-release activities.

The full story

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/articles/state-department-of-fish-and-game-issues-new-sport-fishing-license-requirement-for-2011

Shocked police find three crocodiles, a caiman, two lemurs & nine snakes in raid on caravan

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SHOCKED police stumbled across a menagerie of exotic animals yesterday during a raid on a caravan.

The officers got more than they bargained for when they swooped on the mobile home in Perthshire after receiving a tip-off about two Madagascan lemurs being advertised for sale.

As well as the primates, the team found three African dwarf crocodiles, a spectacled caiman, nine snakes – including boa constrictors and pythons – and two tortoises.

The full story

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/12/31/shocked-police-find-three-crocodiles-a-caiman-two-lemurs-nine-snakes-in-raid-on-caravan-86908-22817152/

Mother nature is fixing herself.

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Good news is coming out of Florida. They are saying that back to back cold winters have not only halted the spread of invasive species but set it back by years. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is saying there are still some micro climates where animals such as Iguanas have survived but in a good share of there range here in the US they have been completely wiped out. They believe that 80%-85% of the population was wiped out last year and this years double whammy has pushed the populations further back.

Pest remover Patrick Berry says he use to make good money removing Iguanas but this year has only received 2 calls. This is all great news for those of us that have been fighting the reptile bans both at the federal and the local level. It proves that the governments “science” was wrong and these animals are not going to take over the world.

Vacation time!!!!

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To all of my wonderful, beautiful website visitors. I have made the decision to take a break and regenerate. The website updates will not happen at east until after the first of the year. If there is any huge news that comes out I will for sure let you know. Until I return if you must get in touch with me you may do so via email. Thanks for understanding and I wish everyone a very happy new year.

Alligator rescuer may need rescuing himself

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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!

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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!