From another thread but applicable to a thought here. When you say getting accurate locales in the US was more common...I'd bet you're talking about prior to the introduction of the 2,000 annual quota? I have also noticed that after a couple of years of that quota the exporters realized we'd take whatever they sent and then buy more, regardless of quality or accuracy. 15-16 years ago you could find a flawless, fresh Ankaramy import. I was going to ask when the last time anyone saw one of those was but it's probably been that long! (Probably not, but sure feels like it) The point being, there's not really an incentive for the collection and export chain to change. Back when 10,000 a year were going out and there weren't so many large scale breeders there was more competition to sell imports. I did business a number of times with one specific importer here in the 90's who was getting what were supposed to be farmed panthers (clean and just big enough to be identify their locale) and his females were accurate, at least in my experience and a couple local friends. Ah, the old days....
So, back to Ambato. Having heard the "I ordered Ambilobes from Madagascar and got a shipment of Nosy Be's" story more than a couple of times I wonder if demand/interest/inquiry by the buyers in Ambato panthers would do any good (it definitely did with the last few years' number of Nosy Faly imports). It really would be neat to see Ambato imported more frequently and as a separate, accepted locale. At least often enough for larger groups to be set up by breeders. Thoughts?