ALERT UPDATE: Blue Tree Monitor ESA Listing UPDATE 7/15/25: FWS is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule to list the blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei), as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. The comment period will last for 30 days (starting on July 16, 2025, after the official posting in the Federal Register).
Public hearing: On July 31, 2025, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule to list the blue tree monitor as an endangered species under the Act from 12 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. The public hearing will allow an opportunity to present verbal testimony.
Read the document and get full details, hearing registration link, and more at https://usark.org/23esa2/.
ALERT UPDATE: New Palestine, IN UPDATE 7/2/25: The latest draft was discussed at tonight’s meeting. The Council decided to table the ordinance for two weeks, with the Council taking a hard look until then for additional changes. It was stated that any reference to “dangerous” animals would be struck. After the next meeting, the proposal will be advertised for input. The next Council meeting will be July 16.
Full details at https://usark.org/25in/.
ALERT: Lincoln County, NC UPDATE 5/5/25: The hearing was tonight, and the Commissioners tabled the proposal (meaning they did not vote, and it will come back amended at a later date). No one spoke in favor of the proposal. Those who spoke in opposition included USARK’s Phil Goss, Buddy Waskey from the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA), one reptile owner, a young pet “exotic” (per this proposal) owner and her father, and several exotic mammal owners. The Commissioners stated that more research would be done before another proposal was presented. Thank you to everyone who opposed this very overreaching proposal that would have banned all pets except dogs and cats (and even those contradicted the bad definition of domesticated animals). Those who showed up stopped this!
previous alert: Lincoln County, North Carolina, has proposed a ban on all animals not native to North Carolina, so this applies to fish, birds, mammals, herps, and invertebrates. The County is updating its animal ordinance, but the draft includes some very overreaching measures. This does not seem to be intentional, but we do not want a poorly worded law to pass, as future enforcement could crack down on anyone, and the law could also be copied in other jurisdictions. Lawmakers need to hear opposition from local residents.
Lincoln County residents must contact City Council members ASAP! This may be voted on in May. We have a sample letter below. Remember to be civil and professional! If you are a non-resident (such as another organization, veterinarian, herpetologist, educator, professor, zoologist, relevant professional, etc.), please compose a letter and include your title and credentials.
What was proposed:
- A ban on all animals not native to North Carolina (as they will all be listed as “dangerous wild animals”);
- The only pets allowed as “domesticated animals” are those “that are indigenous to Lincoln County and normally, customarily share human habitation in Lincoln County and are normally dependent on humans for food and shelter in Lincoln County, such as dogs and cats.” (even though dogs and cats are not indigenous);
- A ban on ALL breeding of animals not native to North Carolina;...
Read the proposal text, contact information, a sample letter, and more at https://usark.org/25nc/.
Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1095441595945602&set=a.615159700640463.
NEW SHIRTS! The new shirts have just arrived! We have two styles (see below): blue-tongued skink and ball python. The ball python logo is an online exclusive, and we will not have this shirt at shows. It is also limited to fewer than 300 shirts available. Order your shirt and other swag at https://usark.org/shop.
Both designs from Adeline Robinson Art are screen-printed on cotton/polyester blend shirts that are extremely soft and wrinkle-resistant.
 
UPDATE: Federal Light Bulb Ban UPDATE May 7: Reptile, amphibian, and other animal keepers will get some relief from the Department of Energy ban on specialty animal care light bulbs. Bulbs that were unreasonably banned will be available again, provided a special sticker is applied to the packaging. This is great news for animal welfare! We have an excerpt below and have included a link to the full Enforcement Policy Statement. Thank you to everyone who engaged on this issue!
"Pursuant to Executive Order 14154, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces that effective immediately it will not take enforcement actions against any seller of noncompliant general service lamps (GSL), where such GSLs are marketed and sold exclusively for use in the care of reptiles, amphibians, or other small animals. Any other sale of non-compliant GSLs is subject to the discretionary enforcement powers of DOE...
As DOE initiated enforcement actions for sales of noncompliant GSLs, veterinarian and zoo organizations, along with concerned reptile owners, reached out to DOE expressing concern over the sales ban, which they claimed prevents them from obtaining lamps used for the health and care of their reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals. These groups indicated that they regularly use certain lamps, which meet the GSL definition but fail to meet the standard, for the lamps’ infra-red and heating properties, which foster the growth and development of reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals. These groups have requested that DOE exempt from the GSL sales prohibition any lamp marketed and sold solely for use for the care of reptiles, amphibians, or other small animals...
To be given enforcement leniency under this policy, a manufacturer or retailer must affix to all such lamps the following warning label:
This lamp is only available for purchase under DOE’s limited Enforcement Policy for GSLs Marketed Exclusively for Animal Health and Care. The purchaser is advised to consider suitable, available substitutes."
Read more at https://usark.org/24bulbs/.
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