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Archive for January, 2010
News Release from USFWS - Pythons and Boas
01.27.2010
PROPOSED RULES FROM U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE CONCERNING IMPORTATION AND TRANSPORTATION OF BOAS AND PYTHONS
Date:
Contact: Vanessa Kauffman (FWS) (703) 358-2138
Kendra Barkoff (DOI) (202) 713-0827
Salazar Moves to Ban Importation and Interstate Transfer of Burmese Python and Eight Other Giant Invasive Snakes
FWS to Propose Injurious Species Listing under Lacey Act
Salazar made the announcement at the
The proposal, which will be open to public comment before Salazar makes a final decision, would prohibit importation and interstate transportation of the animals.
“The Burmese python and these other alien snakes are destroying some of our nation’s most treasured – and most fragile – ecosystems,” Salazar said. “The Interior Department and states such as
In total, wildlife inspectors stationed at ports across the nation processed more than 169,700 shipments of wildlife and wildlife products last year with an estimated value of $2.7 billion.
“Our wildlife inspectors are the front line of defense for the nation, combating illegal wildlife trafficking and preventing the importation of countless species of illegal injurious wildlife. This proposal will give them an additional tool to restrict imports that are causing significant ecological and economic damage, while giving our law enforcement agents the ability to restrict the spread of these species within our borders,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam Hamilton.
The nine species proposed for listing are: the Burmese python, northern African python, southern African python, reticulated python, green anaconda, yellow anaconda,
Many of these large snakes are popular as pets, and are associated with a large domestic and international trade. Over the past 30 years, about a million individuals of these nine species have been imported into the
Under the Lacey Act, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to regulate the importation and interstate transport of species determined to be injurious to humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL and Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-FL, have introduced legislation in Congress, supported by Secretary Salazar and the Obama Administration, which would also restrict importation and interstate sale and transportation of the nine species of constrictor snakes. Today’s proposal ensures that the injurious proposal will be considered through all available legislative and administrative avenues.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register in early February. At that time, the Service will also make a draft economic analysis and draft environmental analysis available to the public. The public will then have 60 days to comment on the proposal.
The Burmese python is currently distributed across many thousands of square miles in south
The U.S. Geological Survey issued a risk assessment last October that highlighted the threat.
Of the nine large constrictors assessed, five were shown to pose a high risk to the health of the ecosystem, including the Burmese python, northern African python, southern African python, yellow anaconda, and boa constrictor. The remaining four large constrictors—the reticulated python, green anaconda, Beni or Bolivian anaconda, and DeSchauensee’s anaconda—were shown to pose a medium risk.
Burmese pythons and other large constrictor snakes are highly adaptable to new environments
And are opportunistic in expanding their geographic range. More than 1,200 of the snakes have been removed from
Salazar strongly encouraged pet owners not to release snakes or any other pets into the wild.
“People may think that this is a convenient and humane way to be rid of unwanted animals, but as in the case of pythons and other constrictors, it can lead to devastating consequences for local wildlife populations and the ecosystems they depend on,” Salazar said.
Salazar said he has directed the Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a comprehensive review of existing legal and regulatory authorities to address the invasive species issue on a broader scale.
“I’ve asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make recommendations regarding the potential tools we need to address the invasive species challenge – both to combat existing invasive species problems and act more effectively to prevent the introduction of new invasive threats into our country,” said Salazar.
Posted by Frank - January 26, 2010
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“Little Guy”
01.26.2010
“Little Guy”
is a Great Basin (Western) rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus). I had to take him out of his enclosure in order to clean his cage and water dish. Seemed like a good “photo op.” He’s an Idaho native who was captured by an angler in 1997 when he was only about 12 inches long (A real “Little Guy!”). He never should have be taken from the wild, but after I acquired him I decided to keep him to help teach my university workshops. He’s helped with “Rattlesnake Awareness and Outdoor Safety” ever since then, though he’s now just under three feet long and no longer a “Little Guy.”
Posted by Frank - January 26, 2010
Garter Snake Den First View
01.25.2010
Garter Snake Den First vVew
The Animals in Distress folks requested a collegue and I respond to a complaint about garter snakes denning in someone’s basement in a nearby community. This was our first view of the snakes as we descended the steep stairway. I suspect the snakes had fallen into the cellar by accident and the temperature was cold enough for them to enter hibernation. The owner wanted them removed. She had apparently called a “pest-control” person who declined to take out the snakes because he’s “afraid of snakes.” Western wandering terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans). Please check the next four pictures in the ecosnake photostream on Flickr for more about these snakes and what happened. Photo by Frank
Posted by Frank, January 25, 2009