Re: [Gecko] Phelsuma confiscation rumor

[Craig Sweeney]

The fact that the entire escapade was dubious by distinction should make us thankful that the USFWS did find homes for them rather than let them die in holding or euthanize them which would have been a legal alternative. I for one am thankful that a humane recourse was taken in a controversial shipment. I don't know that the USFWS has a list of certified private keepers for adoption contact whenever people attempt to stretch the law. I do think if there is some concern in this area the USFWS may be willing to establish something like a list, but wouldn't that encourage the same people that were jumping to the bit to receive these animals to seek more of the unauthorized shipments? The real shame lies with the people involved in the import/ export of the animals. They should have contacted the port of entry for a response as to what they would do with the psuedo-legal shipment. Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: James Corell To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 1:30 PM Subject: RE: [Gecko] Phelsuma confiscation rumor Disappointing that some of the private keepers have up to date CITES and Import permits for Phelsuma specifically when I don't know even one zoo in the US that does.  I even have permits for some of those SPECIES.   Do we know ANY US zoos who have proven track records with some of the species in question?  P.serraticauda, P.flavigularis, P.guttata especially.  I can name keepers off the top of my head who do...  Would have been nice to re-export some of these to a few German keepers in particular in order to assure future success.   Jamie     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 11:19 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Gecko] Phelsuma confiscation rumor Hi Magnus and all, Thank you for the information on this sad topic. I still have to say that I think the company in question is to be held responsible for killing  these animales ( if that�s what have happened). >>>>>>>>>> I have spoken to an inspector, in fact the one that confiscated the animals and he assured me that no animals were euthenized and all were placed with zoos all over the country. U.S. Fish and Wildlife makes every effort to see to it that confiscated animals are well taken care of and delivered to institutions that have the knowledge to keep the animals. I agre that private breeders with a known track record would be the best choice but U.S. Fish and Wildlife cannot allow CITES animals such as these, into the pet trade even though they also acknowledge that many private keepers are better suited for this than are zoos! In any case the rumor that these animals were killed needlessly is nothing more than a rumor! Don Wells You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks       out its neck.