(Disclaimer: This is just some random mussing on matters I've had... just kind of spitballing it here to get thoughts out.)
It a really frustrating issue based around fear and the lack of properly experienced individuals.
It sucks that things reached the point that they have...and I don't quite understand how the people in the area are more afraid of the snakes than they are of gators? But I guess it's just the stigma the whole of snakes get. And there is the obvious issues of them being invasive and damaging the ecosystem that has no protection from an animal like that. The invasiveness of the issue is not the one they seem to focus on. It definitely feels more like the general dislike of ownership of anything other than what you see in a big box shop is top player here.
While sadly I do agree that hunting should be permitted as they are an invasive species and such...the reality of it is no one has been properly sorted/designated for it. Allowing bounties can just lead to people pulling stunts like in some youtube videos for clicks and some cash. It should be something where the FWC has two focuses
1 would be the rehabilitation or culling of invasive specimens located in the field. With properly vetted and permitted help if needed.
2 would be a better handling of the control of the species in captivity.
Most reputable breeders would have no problems adhering to the guidelines if they were standardized and followed a set model.
If a permit and having the animal microchipped was required for ownership? Awesome. Maybe every so often they would have someone appear to inspect the enclosures. Breeders would probably have a more expensive permit and stricter inspections. They would need to retain records of the number of hatchlings and potentially hold them over until they are slightly older than they're typically sold to allow for microchipping before the sale.
The biggest downside is trying to control what happens once the animal is out of the breeder's hands. How to transfer ownership and such if the animal is no longer feasible for the owner.
But no one wants to make a team responsible for this or properly implement it. And I hate to admit it.... sometimes reptile enthusiasts in general are aggressive about changes like this being done. If the other option is not allowing them at all?? That's fairly easy stuff.
This is just like... a dart being thrown at a wall. Not feasible. Barely possible. Too expensive, not safe with current numbers of people familiar with reptile husbandry let alone medical issues... and probably upsetting for some to consider...
If there was a way to safely and humanely neuter the animals being sold along with the microchipping that would be a good step towards maintaining control as well. Anyone found dumping animals can be fined if the chips are scanned. Any that are missed, while still invasive and possibly damaging by themselves, are no longer capable of reproducing. This is just something we may see possible in future times. No one really bats an eye at the fact that pet female ferrets are all spayed. (Albeit for health not public safety/invasiveness).
There's way too much involved on trying to get everything on the same page and finalize something that works for everyone. It's extremely frustrating all around.
Hopefully in the coming years we will see more people in prominent positions who are fully knowledgeable about the animals they are working with.
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