EU Reptile Import Restrictions

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I was just reading a thread on the Reptile Forums UK site and it seems that their are going to be stricter reptile import policies in Europe being administered cutting back on importation of wild reptiles. Was a short article and did not contain much information yet it is good wild reptile imports are going more strictly monitored and limited.

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/general-herp-chat/189577-important-information-eu-import-bans-2.html

 

[eisentrauti]

Wow, great news ! Just read it. It's from 2008 (wheres the rolleyes smiley ...?)

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

It's from 2008

Sorry about that. I don't here much about whats going on in regards to Europe or Asia import policies. That made this article even though an old thread an interesting read.

 

[eisentrauti]

Please start to think about where your chameleons or their parental generations came from...Is your xantholophus female a CB one or is it a bad WC one

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I'm not saying wild caught are bad I'm just saying they should be limited on the numbers that are exported (and they are) and the ones that are imported should go to breeding programs/ breeders. I recommend if someone is looking for a pet to look for captive bred first over wild caught.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

A side note.

I would love to see some of the money from exporting wild caught chameleons going back to Madagascar for chameleon habitat conservation. Maybe even a tariff (I know thats controversial) that would go to conserve the habitat and color phases of Parson chameleons and other species. Would make a system that is more sustainable.

 

[eisentrauti]

In which world are you living ? The world has bigger problems than the collection of 5000 Furcifer pardalis every year...

As long as you are an average inhabitant of an African country you have much bigger problems than habitat conservation

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

By solving world problems you have got to start some where. Chameleon issues, as being a keeper and working with these species I happen to be especially motivated, and is an issue I'm of immediate importance to me. Its not a one person job to solve these problems however solutions are going to come from accomplishments and I would not discourage accomplishing chameleon conservation goals. If these chameleon conservation goals are reached it is a start to solving other local problems (sustainable agriculture issues).

With the attention Madagascar is receiving locals may have a bigger opportunities such as possibly winning a scholarship and in some of these areas becoming a preserve biologist or other jobs. Which is a step up.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

The world has bigger problems than the collection of 5000 Furcifer pardalis every year...

As long as you are an average inhabitant of an African country you have much bigger problems than habitat conservation

Madagascar should hire a biologist for the job and let everyone else sort out their own problems.

 

[chamlover]

It's a great idea however with all the upheaval that is going on in Madagascar right now, i don't think they're even thinking about stuff like that. Hopefully things will settle down even a little bit soon politically and start looking after their resources. All of them. It's such a beautiful country. Could you imagine living there and walking around seeing all the gorgeous chams. God, i'd go crazy. It's hard to believe that most of them are afraid of these beautiful creatures and that will make it even harder to get them into conservation for these animals. But we can always dream....