February 21, 2013 | News & Information
Last week the “Python Challenge” wrapped-up without making much of a dent in the population of snakes in the Everglades. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hasn’t said if they’ll hold the event again next year. But unless the agency changes its hands-off approach to the exotic pet trade, there may be a “Tegu Challenge” or “Tarantula Challenge” in Florida’s future.
While Florida struggles with already established populations of reptiles such as pythons and iguanas, pet stores and breeders continue to carelessly sell exotic snakes, lizards and spiders to anyone who wants to buy them.
Because of Florida’s subtropical climate, animals like the tegu, a lizard native to South America but popular in the pet trade, are able to thrive in the wilds of Florida after escaping from captivity or being dumped by irresponsible pet owners.
It is clear that the pet trade is at the root of the problem, and any real solution must target the source. It is time to ban the breeding and sale of exotic animals as pets in Florida. The FWC might argue that they could not have foreseen the Burmese python problem, but there is no excuse not to act to prevent future problems.
You Can Help
Please contact Florida’s state wildlife agency and urge them to ban the breeding, sale and private possession of exotic animals– to protect animals and the environment.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Email: Commissioners@MyFWC.com
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January 11, 2013 | News & Information
On Thursday, WFTX-TV/FOX 4 (Cape Coral) reported on the announcement by United Airlines that it would no longer transport monkeys destined for laboratory experimentation. When contacted by the TV station for comment, the president of Primate Products, Donald Bradford, said, “another airline turning its back to the fight against diseases and the suffering they cause means animals utilized in that fight will endure days and days on trucks instead of a two to three hour trip on airplanes.”
We’re not sure if Mr. Bradford was being intentionally misleading, or if he badly needs a geography refresher (and of course, we disagree with his claim that animal experiments are necessary in the fight against disease)? Primate Products is a Miami-based corporation that imports monkeys from countries such as China, Cambodia and the Phillipines for use in research and testing. Obviously you can’t truck monkeys from China to the U.S., and the trip by air from those countries takes much, much longer than two or three hours. The grueling, long-distance trips can be extremely stressful experiences. It is not uncommon for monkeys to die even before they make it to a laboratory.
We suspect that Bradford is aware of the true significance of United Airlines announcement. There are a dwindling number of airlines that continue to be involved in the cruel primate trade. Without airlines, Primate Products’ import business grinds to a halt.
Air France is one of a small number of passenger airlines willing to transport monkeys destined for research. You can help by contacting Air France and urging them to end their involvement in the transport of monkeys to laboratories.
Jan Krems, Vice President, The Americas
Air France-KLM Cargo
Phone: (877) 247-9247
Email: jan.krems@klmcargo.com
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