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56020
I just got back from Claxton, GA yesterday. Someone called me that they had a couple EDBs that they were going to save for the Roundup, but I could come get them if I wanted them. Naturally i did. Better me try to keep WC Diamondbacks alive, than doom them to certain death. It turns out that the guys are actually the coordinators for the Roundup. I held my tongue and talked to them in a civil manner. They told me that they are trying to work the "roundup" part of the Roundup out of it. If you get my drift. I spoke with them about alternatives and options for stopping the slaughter. They are in aggreement. So far, so good. But htey are not willing to get rid of the main attraction, rattlers. And they have noone to do presentations if the roundup part stops. Additionally, the guy that buys all of the snakes will be losing money. Now i am a realist, not an idealist. Idealy, we could just shut it down. Realisticly, it is not that easy. We are going to get together with all of the coordinators and the buyer to work out an arrangement to end the slaughter. I feel privilaged that they are willing to involve in this. Perhaps from the inside I can produce some real results. We have spoken about me and perhaps other hot keepers presenting educational programs next year. I have mixed feelings about this. It would give me the opportunity to rescue some snakes (as i would be doing it under that exact guidline), but many will still be killed. I do feel that it is a good first step and I will wait to see what those involved has to say. Perhaps we can solve the problem by the next roundup. Although that might not be feasible. The gentlemen that I talked to were very nice and seemed to be upstanding men very open to alternatives and eager to start the process. By the same token, I feel as though I am straddling both sides of a barbed wire fence! I will have more information soon when we are able to set a meeting. Sometimes you have to shake hands with the devil to make him drop his pitchfork. As I said, I have very mixed emotions about it. But if nothing else, i should be able to get deeper into the Roundup community and learn alot than probably any of has been able to do. One way or another, I hope that this will start some much overdue changes.
[addsig]
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