Article about wild-caught chameleons...

[FFSTRescue]

Here is a link to an interesting, but sad article about wild-caught chameleons. For individuals that are new to this site and are having health problems with your wild-caught chameleons, this article will explain why.


http://www.skypoint.com/members/mikefry/wildcaughthealth.html

If you can't click on it, just cut and paste into your browser.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Good article. Its been around a long time.

 

[draetish]

That made me cry and this part makes me feel selfish. To think what these poor animals go through. So there is no way to stop it and it makes me think going with a WC would be saving at least one from a slow painful death in the hands of someone with no regard to their care.

I urge everyone to provide the benefit of veterinary care to all chameleons, and to give special consideration to the wild-caught chameleons who sacrificed their freedom in the wild in exchange for the joy and wonder they bring to their human caretakers.

 

[FFSTRescue]

I agree, it is heartbreaking to see what these animals go through. It is so hard to watch them wither away in pet stores, especially knowing what they have suffered and will suffer. We need to be grateful for those who have bred these wc animals to produce cb clutches, because, this is what I am hoping will happen... for every cb that is bought in place of a wc, that decreases the demand for wc animals of that species that will be imported? Look at the Veiled for example, too many of them are captive bred to justify buying a wc.

Does anyone know about importation and exportation of reptiles? I would love to hear from you if you do! I know nothing about it and it would be great to educate people. The author of the article toured holding facilities in other countries in 1996 and 1997, have things changed since then? Or are these animals still suffering so horribly? He saw sometimes 20 dead chameleons in one holding pen! And when he told them there was no shade or water, he said, "there is no shade for them, and besides, they will all be shipped to America next week."

So sad...

 

[Monkeykungphu]

Interesting article. Really opens your eyes to what many wild caught animals go (suffer) through.

 

[Olimpia]

Wow that was eye opening. I've always been aware than my WC Othello had been plucked from a life in the wild, but that really fills in a lot of holes in his pre-being-with-me life. I just hope it's a better trip coming from Hawaii. I've been lucky that he's needed minimal veterinary care, and that he's done great in captiviity. But I am deffinately making him a good free range area in my next apartment the second I move in, he (and my other guys and girl) deserves it!

Makes me think though, this means that we're depleating the wild popuations of strong, healthy individuals, and therefore bringing down the health of the population as a whole. Seems as if in trying to keep captive bloodlines fresh and varied we're destroying the wild ones.

 

[Carlton]

I've always been aware than my WC Othello had been plucked from a life in the wild, but that really fills in a lot of holes in his pre-being-with-me life.

Makes me think though, this means that we're depleating the wild popuations of strong, healthy individuals, and therefore bringing down the health of the population as a whole. Seems as if in trying to keep captive bloodlines fresh and varied we're destroying the wild ones.

Ironically, though a wc "costs" more ecologically or biologically in terms of effects on wild populations, goes through a lot of stress and misery, and perpetuates trade that might not be sustainable over the long term, we pay much less in $$ for each animal compared to a cbb one. I cherish the wc chams I've had the pleasure to share life with exactly because I appreciate what they suffer on my account. Along with the limits of a captive life the chams also get some safety or longer life away from the risks of a life in the wild (assuming their keeper is educated and careful). If we as a community can support responsible collection for the right reasons and promote the best treatment of animals we do ask for that may help a lot.

We may not necessarily be taking the strongest or best animals out of the wild population. A cham who is more successful at staying hidden, out of trouble, or quickest to avoid a threat is possibly the better survivor than one who is too easily found and captured. Who knows...by taking the chams that are out in view we might be taking compromised animals who need to bask or eat more often than healthier ones lurking away somewhere defending a territory or laying eggs.

 

[Monkeykungphu]

Makes me think though, this means that we're depleating the wild popuations of strong, healthy individuals, and therefore bringing down the health of the population as a whole. Seems as if in trying to keep captive bloodlines fresh and varied we're destroying the wild ones.

Not sure if you read the Time article I posted last week in the Lizard Lounge or not: https://www.chameleonforums.com/time-lizard-extinction-article-41224/ (looks like a few people at least read my post, but don't know if they read the articles, no one responded...)

From what the scientist in the article say, lizard populations, in general, are on the decline worldwide. I suppose taking WC chameleons as pets is a catch 22 regarding the stability of their existence. We're removing them from their natural habitat, thereby diminishing the wild populations. But, at the same time, responsible herp breeders are establishing viable human kept lizard species in the case of future extinction. Who knows if we will see that in our lifetime or not in the case of chameleons. With the way we're headed with oil spills, deforestation, etc., it wouldn't suprise me.

I'm sure there's a fine balance between over collecting & collecting enough to ensure a viable variety of strains of lizards. However, it would certainly be difficult to have "worldwide reptile collection police task force" to monitor all reptile collection activities everywhere, all of the time. What do you do?