Sad Video!! :(

[reptimanny]

Obviously if you live in Colorado, like yourself or Canada, like myself, we wouldn't subject our chameleons to a habitat that they couldn't survive in. This cham in the vid was in its habitat so there isn't anything wrong with it.

Agreed, the chameleon clearly had all the areas of shade places to climb and all the natural things it needs to stay alive. I agree with the vid totally and thats exactly what i would do if i live near my chams native habitat.

 

[AZNichol]

I was being serious. His page comments make reference to Hawaii but he lists his hometown as Denver. That doesn't matter though. I disagree with his "take flight or die" attitude anyway. It shows he never really loved the animal in the first place.
I disagree with releasing any pet outside and especially exotics outside of native environments. Releasing them outside of native habitat is just irresponsible. That's how we get invasive species. Look at the "harmless" cane toad and the impact it's having in Australia or the Mud Snails to see how such a tiny creature effects California waters. Small animals, HUGE impact! Look at the problems Florida is having with Pythons, big animals that were once small and cute. Just look around, humans are idiots! The animals aren't creating these problems we are, and what happens then? They do round ups and exterminations so hundreds of thousands of them die.... but so long as the environment exists so does the issue and they will come back until they no longer have a food source because they impact the eco system so badly it's forever altered by other species extinction! Just how many ways can we mess up this planet? Do we have to do it with our love of animals too?
Anyway, I look at this video it doesn't make me sad but angry. What kind of a slob is he that he has such a cricket problem the neighbors are complaining? HELLOO? Cricket Keeper!!!!
What a lousy pet parent this guy is and to have it on tape as he's "releasing" his pet without trying to re-home it at all? This little guy was FAMOUS on YouTube! Tell me he couldn't have found a home within a few hours? He couldn't have found a temporary shelter? Is he taping it to gain friends on MySpace or make him seem like the sensitive type? He makes me want to beat him with a stick.

 

[dodolah]

Agreed, the chameleon clearly had all the areas of shade places to climb and all the natural things it needs to stay alive. I agree with the vid totally and thats exactly what i would do if i live near my chams native habitat.

I do agree with Leilaskeeper that if the environment is suitable, letting the animal go free is preferable than a lot of alternatives.

I'll note that when fires went through San Diego County, we were advised that, if we got an evacuation notice, we should let any animals we could not transport go free because at least that way, they had a chance.

I do not deny that this is indeed a sad case.
I think there are much better options out there than releasing exotic animals into the wild, especially where the animal is considered to be a non native species. He can take his Jackson to reptile rescue organizations like the one Chamelisa runs. He can go to any reptile forums (or even craiglist) and post an ad asking, if there is anyone willing to adopt his Jackson.

Introducing a non native species is very irresponsible and can destroy the natural ecosystem of the environment in the long run.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3099/0006-9698-519.1.1
http://www.springerlink.com/content/t8848p5q03319146/
http://www.hear.org/alienspeciesinhawaii/waringreports/chameleon.htm

Also, for this same reason, many people used this as a leverage to pass a legislation to ban people from owning, selling, and/or breeding exotic species as pet (yes, this include reptiles such as chameleons).
Remember the recent HR 669 - Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act that almost got passed?
http://www.nohr669.com/

Either Hawaii or Denver, technically, Jackson is not a native species. The Jackson's feral population in Hawaii is the result of irresponsible keepers releasing them in the wild. It is originated from Kenya. If you want to release Jackson responsibly, then Kenya would be the best place to do so.

Do I understand the pain this person experiencing? Absolutely! In fact, I have experienced a similar problem.
Of course, I did what I had to do.. I moved out. I consider my pet as my family member. I don't abandon them when they suddenly become an inconvenience. If I cannot move out because of financial problem or some other valid reasons, I would find willing parents to adopt my chameleon. The one who can care for him as well as, if not better than, I do.

I didn't watch the video. I don't agree with releasing any pets. It's a huge problem. You have stray dogs, feral cats, escapee snakes, turn-your-head-for-a-moment-and-he's-gone chameleons. If you care for an animal and then you release it into the wild, that I feel is very wrong. And for many reasons. It is also a crime to do so where I live.

When you are being faced with such a decision, call animal control. Often they can put you in touch with a rescue or they can take the animal and then send it to a rescue. They would rather you call them than release a non-native species into the wild.

There are irresponsible people out there who don't care about exotics escaping. Some think it's actually funny. I know of a couple of people who see absolutely nothing wrong with releasing non-native animals because in their opinion the animals thrive.

Well said, Elisa.

 

[AZNichol]

I love the poster above me!!! Absolutely!

 

[dreamforthedead]

I cried watching that, if anyone told me to get rid of my little Mia i'd tell them to do one. Prick of a landlord. Poor guy sounded like he was gonna cry and the cham didn't wanna leave.

 

[astroprojector]

LOL what are you talking about? They are not around older and wiser chameleons. When a female lays her eggs, she's GONE. I don't think they care to stick around.

You need to formulate your sentences more clearly as I can barely make out your points.

on net geo footage of a yemen chameleon hatchling it told us so

 

[Lizardlover]

other videos state it. it is an unbalance of nature he is use to being hand fed he wont find silkworms in every corner

You are completely incorrect, I used to talk to that user and he went out and collected the chameleon himself from the wild. He was just going back home, chameleons don't have an emotional bond and in his mind he was just heading back home.

 

[Lizardlover]

on net geo footage of a yemen chameleon hatchling it told us so

You think nat geo is correct? Chameleon females just leave when she lays eggs, and when she gives live birth she will sit around and wait to see if there are any stillbornes, she will then eat the stillbornes. If a chameleon mother happened to come across her "child" in the wild she would look at it as nothing more than lunch.

 

[astroprojector]

You think nat geo is correct? Chameleon females just leave when she lays eggs, and when she gives live birth she will sit around and wait to see if there are any stillbornes, she will then eat the stillbornes. If a chameleon mother happened to come across her "child" in the wild she would look at it as nothing more than lunch.

she leaves and forgets i know they climb branches dont talk or communicate with other chameleons but just hang around with them

 

[astroprojector]

Animal1204 How long ago did you get rid of Murph??
Nygel36 (uploader) almost a year ago or so.. moved off of the island too