USARK: ALERTS & UPDATES: new alert Orangeburg, SC

[Homebody]

ALERT: Orangeburg, SC MEETING: December 2 at 6:00 PM. City Council Chambers 933 Middleton Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115 Orangeburg has proposed a ban on “exotic creatures” that includes a vague definition, leaving it open to interpretation. It specifically bans all monitor lizards (including dwarf species that fit in your hand as adults), along with many others. Also, there is no provision allowing current owners to keep their animals. For the majority of people who are unfamiliar with reptiles and other animals, many species would be classified as “exotic creatures.” While example species are provided, the definition reads “includes, but is not limited to,” which means species not listed can be banned and seized. The ordinance also covers dogs, chickens (limited to four), and other animals. This could pass tonight (December 2) as it is the second reading. Local residents need to speak at the meeting and voice opposition and concerns ASAP. More details at https://usark.org/25sc2/. ALERT: Lincoln County, NC UPDATE 12/1/25: Tonight was the first reading of the fourth draft of a new animal ordinance. It was changed from a regular agenda item to “for review only,” seemingly in response to valid points raised in pre-meeting opposition letters and calls. All public speakers were opposed. The County’s legal counsel stated, “We have spent a lot of time on this,” even though iguanas were listed as venomous and “species Homo sapiens (humans)” was included as an exempt species that could be owned. She later stated, “We are talking about removing iguanas from the venomous reptiles.” That would be sensible considering they were never venomous... Read more at https://usark.org/25nc/. Endangered Species Act Amendments Amendments to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through rulemaking.There are four proposed changes:Threatened species protections (50 CFR part 17; section 4(d)): Eliminate the “blanket rule” option and require species-specific 4(d) rules tailored to each threatened species. This approach reflects the best interpretation of the statute under Loper Bright and ensures that protections are necessary and appropriate to conserve each species without imposing unnecessary restrictions on others. It also aligns service policy with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NOAA) long-standing species-specific approach...Read more at https://usark.org/25esa4/. Wisconsin Herp Rule Review UPDATE 11/28/25: The Department has released draft amendments. Some will impact herpetoculture. Those impacted economically have only until December 5 to submit comments. Read more at https://usark.org/25wi/. Posted 7/16/25: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is initiating a comprehensive review of all herp regulations in an “effort to clarify and update existing regulations to better inform the public, law enforcement, and department staff regarding allowable activities, improve enforceability, and implement current management goals.” There may be additional rule changes reasonably related to what was mentioned prior. Read more at https://usark.org/25wi/. ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review Full details and comment instructions at https://usark.org/25co2/. ALERT UPDATE: Borneo Earless Monitor ESA Listing Posted August 13: On August 14, 2025, FWS will open a comment period on the proposed rule to list the Borneo earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Previous comments need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. Full details at https://usark.org/25esa2/. ALERT UPDATE: Blue Tree Monitor ESA Listing Get full details at https://usark.org/25esa1/. The emergency rule ended on August 25, 2025. Breeders can currently ship blue tree monitors. We will notify our members of changes or when the final rule is posted by FWS. ALERT: Southern Hognose ESA Listing Posted 8/28/25: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS has found that the southern hognose faces serious threats from habitat loss and degradation as a result of land conversion and fragmentation, causing loss of connectivity between populations, road mortality, invasive species (red ants, feral hogs, and cogongrass), and climate change. Full details at https://usark.org/25esa3/. 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.

Copyright © 2025 USARK, All rights reserved.

ALERT: Orangeburg, SC MEETING: December 2 at 6:00 PM. City Council Chambers 933 Middleton Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115 Orangeburg has proposed a ban on “exotic creatures” that includes a vague definition, leaving it open to interpretation. It specifically bans all monitor lizards (including dwarf species that fit in your hand as adults), along with many others. Also, there is no provision allowing current owners to keep their animals. For the majority of people who are unfamiliar with reptiles and other animals, many species would be classified as “exotic creatures.” While example species are provided, the definition reads “includes, but is not limited to,” which means species not listed can be banned and seized. The ordinance also covers dogs, chickens (limited to four), and other animals. This could pass tonight (December 2) as it is the second reading. Local residents need to speak at the meeting and voice opposition and concerns ASAP. More details at https://usark.org/25sc2/. ALERT: Lincoln County, NC UPDATE 12/1/25: Tonight was the first reading of the fourth draft of a new animal ordinance. It was changed from a regular agenda item to “for review only,” seemingly in response to valid points raised in pre-meeting opposition letters and calls. All public speakers were opposed. The County’s legal counsel stated, “We have spent a lot of time on this,” even though iguanas were listed as venomous and “species Homo sapiens (humans)” was included as an exempt species that could be owned. She later stated, “We are talking about removing iguanas from the venomous reptiles.” That would be sensible considering they were never venomous... Read more at https://usark.org/25nc/. Endangered Species Act Amendments Amendments to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through rulemaking.There are four proposed changes:Threatened species protections (50 CFR part 17; section 4(d)): Eliminate the “blanket rule” option and require species-specific 4(d) rules tailored to each threatened species. This approach reflects the best interpretation of the statute under Loper Bright and ensures that protections are necessary and appropriate to conserve each species without imposing unnecessary restrictions on others. It also aligns service policy with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NOAA) long-standing species-specific approach...Read more at https://usark.org/25esa4/. Wisconsin Herp Rule Review UPDATE 11/28/25: The Department has released draft amendments. Some will impact herpetoculture. Those impacted economically have only until December 5 to submit comments. Read more at https://usark.org/25wi/. Posted 7/16/25: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is initiating a comprehensive review of all herp regulations in an “effort to clarify and update existing regulations to better inform the public, law enforcement, and department staff regarding allowable activities, improve enforceability, and implement current management goals.” There may be additional rule changes reasonably related to what was mentioned prior. Read more at https://usark.org/25wi/. ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review Full details and comment instructions at https://usark.org/25co2/. ALERT UPDATE: Borneo Earless Monitor ESA Listing Posted August 13: On August 14, 2025, FWS will open a comment period on the proposed rule to list the Borneo earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Previous comments need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. Full details at https://usark.org/25esa2/. ALERT UPDATE: Blue Tree Monitor ESA Listing Get full details at https://usark.org/25esa1/. The emergency rule ended on August 25, 2025. Breeders can currently ship blue tree monitors. We will notify our members of changes or when the final rule is posted by FWS. ALERT: Southern Hognose ESA Listing Posted 8/28/25: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS has found that the southern hognose faces serious threats from habitat loss and degradation as a result of land conversion and fragmentation, causing loss of connectivity between populations, road mortality, invasive species (red ants, feral hogs, and cogongrass), and climate change. Full details at https://usark.org/25esa3/. 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.

Copyright © 2025 USARK, All rights reserved.