Phoenix Reptile Expo is back!
On the heels of the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG) Conference (https://www.ttpg.org/), the fabulous Phoenix Reptile Expo returns this weekend. That means animals, education, and fun! The unique atmosphere and variety at this expo have allowed the show to continue as one of the best.

There is an auction on Saturday night that benefits TTPG and USARK. Stick around for good times!

James, Drew, and the PRE Crew do a phenomenal job. USARK thanks them for their support. Be sure to visit our booth and snag a shirt.

Show schedule November 18-19
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm

Phoenix Reptile Expo details at www.phxreptileexpo.com and www.facebook.com/PhoenixReptileExpo.
New Shirt For Sale + USARK Info Cards
Buy the shirt at https://usark.org/product/shirt-tarantula/.
Buy info cards at https://usark.org/shop/ (three options).

Artist edition shirt! The tarantula artwork was created by Adeline Robinson Art at https://www.adelinerobinsonart.com. This screen-printed, cotton/polyester blend shirt is extremely soft and wrinkle-resistant with a slightly modern fit (but true to size). U.S. domestic shipping is free! Plus, one USARK sticker per shirt is included. No international shipping at this time. NOTE: Most shirts will arrive in 10 business days or less (but there may be delays). You will receive tracking via email when your order ships.
CITES Amphibian Trade Review
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is conducting a review of the global amphibian trade. As part of this effort, CITES and The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have developed a questionnaire to gather information on amphibians, including the following:

  1. the levels of international trade in amphibians (legal and illegal);
  2. captive breeding of amphibians;
  3. threat of diseases to and from amphibians in trade;
  4. and the national/regional (and/or local) management, enforcement and regulatory priorities of amphibians in international trade.

Read the CITES announcement and take the survey (link on the second page) at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23-CITES-amphibians.pdf.
Additional information and any inquiries relating to the survey should be submitted by email to the IUCN at Oliver.Tallowin@iucn.org and copy to info@cites.org.
Potential ESA Listings
This has been posted in the Federal register at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/17/2023-17726/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-90-day-findings-for-five-species.

FWS will be considering these species to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): Bornean earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis), blue tree monitor lizard (Varanus macraei), bleached sandhill skipper (Polites sabuleti sinemaculata), and pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).

When a nonnative species is listed under ESA, even domestically born and bred animals can no longer be sold in interstate commerce by private breeders. This is actually anti-conservation as these animals in the wild face habitat decimation, and poaching for medicinal, food, and other purposes. Rather than allowing the global population of a species to grow to conserve species, ESA listings prevent that from happening in the U.S.

The petition was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. We will post links and updates at https://usark.org/23esa2/ when available.

You can read more about the problems caused by the ESA listing of nonnative species at https://usark.org/23esa/.
ALERT: Lacey Act Amendments
UPDATE: We have updated our alert with links to contact all sponsors and co-sponsors of the two Lacey Act amendment bills now in Congress. Please check if you are a constituent of any of the listed legislators and then take action if you are. Thank you! Check out our latest video about this on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmtZM7u2Vvk&t=28s.

Find more details and a comprehensive FAQ at https://usark.org/23lacey/. We will be updating this alert.
USARK Hats are Available Online
Our shop is open at https://usark.org/shop/(or just click the "Shop" link in the menu on our website). We currently have two shirts and three hats available for sale.


Find A Vet
Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.
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