My letter to the President regarding S373

[VexalUntil]

Well since it looks kinda bleak for us, I just finished composing a letter to Mr. Obama. I don't know if it will do anything, but here it is if anyone else wants to view it and submit one.

Dear Mr. President

I am writing in regards to the Senate bill S373 "the Python Ban". I vehemently oppose this bill presented by Senator Bill Nelson. I appreciate beyond words that Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) has staked his career and reputation to oppose this bill.

An independent collaboration of scientists from the University of Florida, Texas A&M, and Arizona State have determined the USGS report by Rodda and Reed unscientific. The paper fails to incorporate the myriad factors involved in this invasive species problem. For example the population of Boa Constrictors at the Charles Deering Estate in southern Dade County. I quote from the Flordia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website: "Boas have been found here an in the vicinity since the 1970s (T. Hardwick, Pesky Critters, Miami, personal communication). Over 50 boas, including gravid females and neonates, have been removed from the Deering Estate since 1996." (FWC - Nonnatives - Common Boa) Since 1970 the population has not expanded from this area and I do not agree with listing Boa Constrictors on the Lacey Act since they have not shown to be established in the state outside of this one isolated population. I know that some boas do turn up now and again, but due to negligent pet owners who release them. The invasive potential for these 9 snakes outlined in the Rodda and Reed paper is not really in question. The fact that it's being taken to extremes is. What about the feral cat and dog problem? What about rats (Rattus rattus)? They are an invasive species from Europe, but nothing has been done about them and they carry the budonic plague! Every species on this planet has the potential to be an invasive species, especially in South Florida.

I would completely understand and support a annual permit to be able to keep my pet snakes and also run my small snake breeding business. I would be willing to pay at least $100 per year. To me that amount is a small price to pay to be able to enjoy the larger constrictors that I've come to appreciate. I also support banning the imporation of these animals as there are enough breeders in the US working with them that we do not need to collect any wild individuals.

I do not believe the supporters of this bill fully realize how much the reptile industry contributes to the economy. There are numerous small businesses that rely on the sale of ball pythons and boa constrictors as either sole income or supplementary income. Additionally we all attend conventions throughout the year. At these conventions we sell our product, but it's so much more than just the trade of reptiles and amphibians. We eat at local restaurants, rent rooms in hotels, visit local attractions, and otherwise pump some of the money we earn back into the local area. Vendors easily spend $1000+ in one weekend at reptile shows on food, hotel room(s), and entertainment. It adds up when you have 100 or so vendors. Additionally we buy rats and mice which keeps the rodent breeders afloat who buy rodent food and bedding from other industries. I easily spend $25 a month on rodent food and $30 every two months on bedding for my rats I raise. Plus another $200-300 per year on other rodents that I cannot raise myself. We also need heat lamps, bedding, cages, cage decorations for our animals. I'm looking at spending about $6000 on cages for the snakes I have or plan to have in the future.

Please Mr. Obama, if it comes to it, veto S373 if it outright bans the interstate traffic of all snakes in the genus Python and the other indicated 9 species. I would appreciate a government that considers and relies upon scientific inquiries to determine nationally impacting legislation. I thank you for your time.

Sincerely

Kyle Finn
Graduate of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
University of Florida

[noonan768]

Well said.

[snakehooked]

Fantastic letter Kyle, if you don't mind I would like to "borrow" it.

[96Blacksunshine]

I do see a typo though, budonic. Other than that, great letter.

[VexalUntil]

Everyone feel free to copy it. Although after copying it here, I tried sending it and it was over the 2500 character limit. I had to do some cropping, but the high points are there.

I knew I'd misspell something somewhere... Oh well. Types happen

[fuglyfarmhand]

Originally Posted by snakehooked

Fantastic letter Kyle, if you don't mind I would like to "borrow" it.

I want your permission to do the same please.
All you have to do is pm us and say yes or no.
Thank you

[Sakara]

very nice I may steal this as well, lol