[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> I second that notion. But why would a society dedicated (presumably) to
> animals and fish want to do such a ridiculous thing?!? What goal could they
> possibly be achieving?
They are zoos. If we can't own exotics the only place to see exotics will be
the zoos. Zoos draw crowds based on being able to display animals that can't
be seen elsewhere by the general public. I also think there may be a bit of
elitist attitude in that they feel they can better care and present exotics
than the private sector. Certainly for lions, tigers and bears (Oh my!) that's
true. But if you have ever seen some of the zoo displays of small reptiles you
might laugh. Many of us have better or larger or more naturalistic enclosures
for our herps. I think zoos are slow to admit that many smaller herps are
being advanced better by private individuals. I think this is only true for
smaller exotics that do not display as well to the public. Whether they want
to admit it or not zoos are businesses (yes, even the not-for-profit ones) and
they pander to the publics interest when it comes to deciding what animals make
it to the zoo. Small geckos like pictus, leos, helmeted, knob-tailed, or day
geckos don't display well for large audiences. Emphasis on "large". If you go
to a busy zoo watch as everyone jams next to the tiny tanks and seem (and feel)
terribly crowded. Go to the lion display and everyone is spread out and
comfortable. See how many people stand in front of a display that has a
burrowing herp. None, if they can't see the animal they move on.
Zoos are good. They help educate people on conservation issues and to foster
interest in nature and they maintain genetic pools for many endangered
animals. Zoos are bad. They often ignore the small or the ugly or the
nocturnal or timid or expensive to care for animals and they must consider
bottom line when keeping their animals.
Private keepers are good. They develop breeding methods and maintain genetic
pools of many odd, small and otherwise neglected animals and often spear-head
field research on the same animals. Private keepers are bad. Many improperly
keep animals (e.g., mountain lions in city apartments) and often they inbreed
or don't keep detailed lineage notes.
I don't disagree completely nor agree completely with any blanket ban. But, I
do agree with banning the private keeping of lions and I disagree with banning
private keeping of gilas. New York State has just introduced a bill (AO7375
sent to the Committee on Environmental Conservation) that would create a
statewide ban on exotics similar to New York City's. As a board member of the
Long Island Herpetological Society (LIHS), I just finished writing a rebuttal
to many elements of this bill and we (the LIHS) have begun a campaign to see
this bill defeated or go through major modifications. Each of us need to
formulate our own beliefs and write our representatives to express these
beliefs. Keeping in mind that a thoughtful, honest rebuttal to a complete ban
of all exotics may be the best approach. Educating the law makers to the fact
that many smaller exotics are displacing the conventional cat or dog as the
family pet will go a long way towards avoiding a total ban. Make it clear that
leopard geckos should not be classified the same as gorillas, don't try to make
a case for keeping gorillas. Just my opinion.
Anyone that would like to see the letter that the board of the LIHS prepared in
response to the NYS bill please email me privately and I will email a copy to
you. I forewarn you first that it is lengthy (about 8 pages) and covers many
points in the bill. Anyone that wants to see the NYS bill can find it at:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07375&sh=t
Regards,
John
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