Interesting CNN article today

[ColinWeaver]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/weather/0...iref=allsearch

I know many of us in the reptile community are expecting the cold weather in Florida and the rest of the south to have a hugely negative impact on any feral pythons in South Florida. I'll be curious to see what happens to the pythons they mention in this article. I hope there is a neutral group of people who will report on it as the death of all those animals (or the ensuing terminal illness) is likely to be damaging to the supporters of this legislation.

None of us should be surprised when, in the days and weeks following the break in this cold weather, another publicized capture of a large constrictor happens in the Everglades/South Florida area. The timing of it will be convenient and the HSUS will be all over it on the Internet and in Congress stating how the snakes survived this cold spell.

None of us has any evidence to really support the suggestion that the HSUS or some other organization is staging the release of animals to continue gaining momentum for the bill but I don't think it's above them to stoop to such tactics to achieve their goals. I doubt we'll ever know for sure.

Cheers,

[2kdime]

Why did they call it an Illegal exotic animal trade?

They also said the python's head "exploded"? Seriously?

Im so SICK of the worlds news programs....

[ColinWeaver]

Yeah, I caught that, too. The truth doesn't sell ad space.

[Eventide]

As if I didn't like CNN enough already....

[West Coast Jungle]

As usual the media blows the whole thing out of proportion. Illegal animal trade is about as false of a statement that you can get. I think we should all contact CNN and enlighten them

[RichsBallPythons]

I just contacted the reporter and the So called Dr. about his extremely inaccurate acquisitions about the trade and how hte problem really started. We shall see if i get a response from either.

[BPelizabeth]

Oh interesting Flame....let us know. And I love how pythons have no predators....correct me if I am wrong but alligators are their predators when they are adults. As babies there is a whole host of predators. ??? And the head exploded....oye....in reality it is VERY likely that the aligator was already dead or had just died. Had they done a necropsie (I know I spelled that wrong) when they first found it we might have found out what REALLY happened.

[RichsBallPythons]

Well the Dr. Emailed me back.

Your are correct. I told the interviewer that pythons were here as a result of the pet trade. I did not use the term illegal and I have asked that the correction be made in the story. I did say releasing pythons was illegal. I did not blame python keepers as there is no evidence that they released any pythons. I do note that pythons were found in ENP prior to 1992.

You are correct being accurate is important. I try to be and to correct mistakes.

As for being old and fuzzy, if you had added ugly and ill-tempered I'd say you must know me.

By the way. I think keeping reptiles as pets is a worthwhile hobby both socially and economically and I do not think a national ban will solve local or regional problems. I'd love to see the industry recognize that there is a problem and deal with it themselves eliminating any need for legislation.

As for whether or not the pythons will survive, I have heard both sides. I'll let the pythons tell me the answer. This severe prolonged cold along with a day long rain (yesterday) will be the test.

If I have a hope, it is that you are correct, the cold got them. (Not that I wish that fate on any animal).

Frank

[USARK.Jonathan.Brady]

It SOUNDS like he did a good job representing the facts as well as anyone knows them, but the news media decided to misquote him. Not a surprise.

Also sounds like he fully supports the responsible ownership of exotic animals.

Perhaps he's not as bad as we initially thought...?

jb

[RichsBallPythons]

It SOUNDS like he did a good job representing the facts as well as anyone knows them, but the news media decided to misquote him. Not a surprise.

Also sounds like he fully supports the responsible ownership of exotic animals.

Perhaps he's not as bad as we initially thought...?

jb

Lets just hope he stays on our side and just didnt sugar coat the email.