Search for snake finds illegal reptiles

[faze]

Search for snake finds illegal reptiles
wtnh.com

(New Haven-WTNH, Nov. 4, 2004 6:06 PM) _ A New Haven couple reported their pet missing a couple days ago. It's a 15-foot python snake. And when police went looking for it, they found a lot more than an empty cage.

* by News Channel 8's Matt Scott

Ladonna Brown says her pet python is like a baby to her, harmless and sweet, but when she reported the missing snake to local authorities she had to explain what she was doing with some other exotic pets.

"They're not dangerous, but since they haven't eaten in a while, who knows what could happen," Brown says.

Brown is talking about her missing python, a 15 foot long pet that has some neighbors worried.

"I hope it's not out anywhere where it's going to get on someone or some kid," says Alma Thorpe.

The Department of Environmental Protection showed up. Using frozen rats as bait, no pet python was found, but other reptiles were. Two caiman crocodiles and one Argentinain boa which, according to Captain Raul Camejo, is not allowed to be imported into the state and is therefore illegal.

All three were confiscated and Brown and her boyfriend Larry White were ticketed $75 for having an illegally imported reptile. Something Brown says is not true.

"One of the snakes I bought came from a pet store, which they said was illegal. I said I purchased the snake from a pet store in Branford. How is that illegal?"

The owners of Pet Star say not true, they did not sell them an illegal boa, just the missing python, which is legal in the state.

So where did it come from? Ladonna says she and White purchase pets from reptile shows, pets that may be legal in neighboring states, but not here.

"I go to reptile shows and purchase these animals, and then you tell me they're not legal."

Captain Camejo says harboring illegally imported pets happens a lot in Connecticut, adding the trade of exotic animals like snakes and reptiles is big business on the black market and big problems for State Police who often confiscate them.

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[StevenLeeAugust]

Are Argentines illegal in states where red tails are not? Or are they in Connecticut?

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[aesailor7575]

I am kinda lost on how a CB argentine boa is an illegally imported animal????????????

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[StevenLeeAugust]

Originally Posted by aesailor7575

I am kinda lost on how a CB argentine boa is an illegally imported animal????????????

good point!

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[ann0306]

Wow, we live in Connecticut and we've never heard anything about any reptiles being illegal. We've been worrying about the New York law, but didn't realize there was anything already on the books.

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[Ptorgeaux]

I think because of the CITES classification or something (something having to do with their being endangered?) interstate travel of occidentalis is illegal.

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[LdyDrgn]

Appendix I lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants (see Article II, paragraph 1 of the Convention). These are threatened with extinction and CITES generally prohibits commercial international trade in specimens of these species. However trade may be allowed under exceptional circumstances, e.g. for scientific research. In these cases, trade may be authorized by the granting of both an export permit (or re-export certificate) and an import permit. (See Article III of the Convention)

This is from CITES site. It says nothing about interstate travel within the country. Only importation to and exportion from the country.... Please, if this is mistaken or incomplete, show me where it is illegal for interstate transport.

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[Maynard_JK]

you cannot get argentines in canada they are illegal here which sucks

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[LdyDrgn]

ah, but there is one breeder there working on them... however, they can only imported there by certain groups.

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[Ptorgeaux]

From http://forum.kingsnake.com/CITES/messages/48.html.

CITES I animals are considered endangered and cannot be imported, exported, or cross state lines without proper permits. If you are finding CITES I animals in a store, you might consider calling US Fish and Wildlife to see if the store has the proper permits.

I don't know for sure if occidentalis is CITES I, but I'm fairly certain I've heard so. You have information direct from their website and it says nothing about interstate travel, so I don't know what to think. *Shrugs*

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[Ptorgeaux]

The Endangered Species Act: http://endangered.fws.gov/esa.html

9.a.1: Except as provided in sections 6(g)(2) and 10 of this Act, with respect to any endangered species of fish or wildlife listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act it is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to-

(E) deliver, receive, carry, transport, or ship in interstate or foreign commerce, by any means whatsoever and in the course of a commercial activity, any such species;
(F) sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce any such species;

Ah HA!

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[LdyDrgn]

I find that strange since quite a few vendors at the Daytona Expo were selling Argentine boas (Yes, they are Appendix I) and there was absolutely no talk anywhere about having the proper permits for them. There was talk of permits for transporting the HOTS... but that was all I heard. *shrug*

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

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[telefrag]

I think the case for Argentine boas is that permits are only required if you are exporting, or recieving a exported animal.

I dont think that applies for intrastate transfer.

Interstate may be another story, but im sure some degree of "grandfathering" was done in respect to captive propagation as far as a buy/sell standpoint in concerned.

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[after]

Ok, now I think my information is correct. I purchased and Argentine back in 2001 in California as a captive bred specimen at a reptile show. At that time my husband was airforce, and was looking at getting stationed back in England (where he is from). When I called the breeder to ask him what type of paper work I needed he explained that I did not need paper work to own an argentine, it is a captive bred animal. That if I was going to move the snake to another country that I would need to obtain paper work for that. So I contacted the local Conservation department and I found out: Cites listing has to do with control on trade of animals, nothing else. Cites listed animals are not officially on the endangered list, they are just considered threatened, which is why they control the international trade of these animals now (to help prevent them from becomming endangered). So what I had to do if we were going to move was to fill out a bunch of paper work on all the snakes (all boas are cites listed, and all I have is boas), get the paperwork authorized somehow, and take the paper work with the animal when we were to move. Now things may have changed a little since 1993, I don't know. But if you want to find out more information, stop by, or call your local conservation department. These guys will probably will be able to help you out a great deal, and know what department to send you to, if needed.