WC Gravids?

I realize this post is a few days quiet now, but I didn't see anyone mention one important issue that has to do with importation, and that's the accidental importation of parasites. There are several papers on introduced parasites (like ticks) that were brought into the U.S. on imported reptiles, some specifically on ball pythons. Some of these parasites are also vectors for some pretty nasty introduced diseases, including some that are fatal to livestock and deer, and some dangerous to humans.

I disagree with large-scale importation of ball pythons for many other reasons already stated in this thread, but at this point it would be like beating a dead horse to go over them again. It's also apparent that no minds are going to be changed. I just thought I'd bring this point up in case it was something that hadn't been thought of yet.

v

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Originally Posted by Vacado

I realize this post is a few days quiet now, but I didn't see anyone mention one important issue that has to do with importation, and that's the accidental importation of parasites. There are several papers on introduced parasites (like ticks) that were brought into the U.S. on imported reptiles, some specifically on ball pythons. Some of these parasites are also vectors for some pretty nasty introduced diseases, including some that are fatal to livestock and deer, and some dangerous to humans.

I disagree with large-scale importation of ball pythons for many other reasons already stated in this thread, but at this point it would be like beating a dead horse to go over them again. It's also apparent that no minds are going to be changed. I just thought I'd bring this point up in case it was something that hadn't been thought of yet.

v

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reptile parasites are not the same as the ones you are refering to.

What is that supposed to mean? One paper I looked at was very specifically about the established populations of exotic reptile parasites (specifically ticks) on imported reptiles in Florida. Just because it's a "snake" tick does not mean it will not bite a human, or that it won't transmit a disease. Humans all over the world suffer from being hosts of non host-specific parasites, or from being accidental hosts to host-specific parasites. Many parasites are zoonotic.

v

Hi everyone,
When I did the Ghana ball python survey for CITES, I did not come across any people trading in gravid females. Licensed trappers working for the exporters were taking gravid females from the wild and the exporters had the females lay their eggs in captivity. The females were then released back into the wild, under the supervision of government wildlife officers. Wildlife managers term call this "ranching". It is done with quite a few species of crocodilians. The conservation value of ranching is that the commercial operators depend on a wild population and its habitat for their livelihoods. Farming is a closed system, so it doesn't matter if the wild populations survive. In fact, it gives you a competitive advantage if the wild populations dwindle. You can download my report from: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cite...thon_ghana.pdf.
Happy Easter!
Steve

I don't believe in keeping WC animals of any kind in captivity.

I know what you mean. Those WC gravids probably spent a maximum in captivity before they were released. However, my job as a CITES consultant was to determine whether the program was sustainable and whether it could be improved. I was there to provide technical assistance. My personal thoughts/feelings were of no relevance to the task at hand.

I should should have written "a maximum of two months".

I think the number of imports should definitely be cut back or done away with all together. If you think about it though, if they were never imported we wouldn't have any here in the first place! But the only reason they're imported at the rate they are is because they can be flipped for a nice profit. Most new buyers would rather spend the $80 at Petco than $150-300 from a reputable breeder.

The normal ball python that your new buyer paid $80.00 for at Petco is available from that reputable breeder for about $20 - $25.00. People pay $80 at Petco because Petco has a big sign along a major thoroughfare, and everyone knows it's there. The reputable breeder has no sign, and nobody knows he / she exists, except the folks who read online classifieds or go to reptile shows.

The python that breeder charges $150 - $200.00 for isn't the same snake.

~Bruce