keeping wild caught

[book]

I am new to reptile keeping. In fact I don't have any yet but got my licence a few months back.
I used to catch and release garden skinks and caught and kept a Blue Tougne over one summer holiday as a kid when I lived in Victoria.
I moved to Queensland 6 years ago and have watched as the population of Eastern Water Skinks have increase in numbers in my back yard, favouring our fish pond.
When I descided to research the best way to keep these reptiles as pets I discoverd I needed a licence.
I also came up with some old information on the net and in books mentioning licences to catch them. I ended up phoning the EPA to find out what was current.
They said (Queensland) that the days of catching any reptiles where gone and the only option was to get a licence and get them from breeders.
I am still waiting to get my first Water Skinks after finding out how few legal supplies there are.

If someone has illegally caught reptiles, I would let them know it is not legal any more - they may not know.
Not evil, just ignorant.
I didn't know and I know many people who do not keep reptiles who where also suprised by this.

[Tirilia]

Its actually amazing how often people assume you just caught your reptile from the wild and decided to keep it.

I take my baby bluey out for quick walks (eg meeting someone at the train station, grabbing a dvd etc) and the number of people who Oooh and Ahhh over him, are about equal to the number of people who have asked "Where did you find him?" "How long did it take you to catch him?".

Its amazing the number of people who are completely unaware that you actually NEED a license to keep reptiles. Aside from that, there are several shops here in Brisbane who blatantly advertise "Reptiles for sale! No License required!" and thats in the yellow pages and on their websites!

If the EPA is really keen on people sticking to the laws, they either need to actually Look for blatant offenders, or they need licensed keepers to help.

However, if the non licensed keepers are taking really good care of their reptiles, I dont see why they are much different from those who do have a license.

After all, a License does not a good keeper make. Ive heard dozens of horror stories of keepers who didnt have the faintest clue how to take care of their reptile, and eventually brought them back to the shops in horrid conditions (bone deformities, lost limbs etc). Thankfully some of those people had their licenses revoked... but that doesnt stop them getting reptiles in the future from sellers who dont care about licenses

I guess what Im saying is its kind of hard to judge..

[moosenoose]

What saddens me is walking into another pet shop yesterday and seeing a store packed full of people who were buying fish on one side, but also banging on the glass where they kept the reptiles on the other. Unless they have a designated "reptile zone" I don't think they should be selling them! JMO

[mrmikk]

Originally Posted by BIG RYANO

I'd like to see how many people would knock back a green python on paper for say $500 that they knew was collected from the wild. Not many. All the hypocrites will no doubt start posting saying no way. But i dont believe it for a second.

Even more reason to drop that sort of person in it. If someone offered me a GTP for a ridiculous price that pointed toward it being a WC, let's just say, my anger would became rather elevated!

[mrmikk]

Originally Posted by Tirilia

After all, a License does not a good keeper make.

One thing a license requirement does eliminate is the goose who walks into a pet shop and thinks it would be impressive to buy a snake for no other reason than an ego grooming one. When this type of fool is then told they need to complete paper work, pay a fee etc..., hopefully their spur of the moment desire cools and they don't follow through with it.

I agree though the licensing conditions do need to be backed up with a little more work on behalf of the EPA in QLD to enforce the legislation surrounding it.

[stencorp69]

Originally Posted by johnbowemonie

I think you should mind your own frigging business for starters. I do not do it personally, but i do not hold it against someone for a pulling a snake off the road and keeping it. After all the animals that get deliberately shovelled, run over, shot etc etc one person picking up a pretty little carpet python off the road is nothing in the overall scheme of things.

However, i don't like knowing of people raping the bush, taking heaps of animals then flogging off all the animals for their own financial gain. If its on the road its fair game.

Simone.

Agreed - Its people who kept reptiles "illegally" years ago that allows us to have a legal hobby now - the "eco-nazis" and wildlife authorities should worry more about the average "joe" who thinks its a great idea to kill reptiles than the hobbist who for the most part is interested in learning more about reptiles. Ironic isn't it that its not illegal to run over a snake on the road but it is illegal to remove it from the road and keep it.

[stencorp69]

Originally Posted by caustichumor

I don't agree with anyone keeping wild reps, at least with the legal WC animals they are permited and the numbers taken are allocated.

Why? What's the difference?

[stencorp69]

Originally Posted by pugsly

" If everyone "rescues" an animal that get's too close to the road and that "rescue" involves taking it home putting it into an enclosure for the remainder of it's life and denying it the chance to reproduce with other wild animals, then you may as well run it over or give it the one shovel salute. because it's not the animals welfare you really care about....."

Silly arguement - you only need to consider the last 15 year of australia herpetology to see the huge advances in our knowledge since keeping has been legalised. So there is a huge benefit over keeping reptiles in enclosures over them getting run over.... or maybe I got your arguement wrong - are you saying we should shovel them as this is prefered to them getting run over? It more humane? pleeease

[stencorp69]

Originally Posted by caustichumor

That's my rant, now I'm off to hug a tree....

Hopefully a branch falls on your head and knows some sense in to you - Just because the system makes it illegal doesn't mean that its correct, wild taking has a minor impact on the environment when all other man made impact is taken in to consideration.

Aboriginies couldn't vote 40 years ago didn't make it correct

[Jonno from ERD]

There is a big difference between someone taking the odd animal from the wild, and someone raping the bush with no regard for the environment or the animals they catch. Harvesting animals from decent habitat will have no effect on the population, it is when people start getting greedy that problems arise. Look at the drama's in the Wheatbelt of WA, where collectors have gone through with jimmy bars and wrecked several rock outcrops. Here in QLD, places like Girraween National Park are also partially destroyed. Unfortunately, like most things, a few bad apples spoil it.

There are far bigger threats to Australian native wildlife then a reptile keeper pinching a snake or two - if the government would invest all the licencing funding and time into feral animal management, it would save millions more animals.

At the end of the day though, it IS illegal, and the vast majority of species are available in captivity anyway.

[warren63]

Got to agree with a few comments here thats its generally assumed by the unknowing general public that most herps are wild caught. Had a friend who suggested i keep a few of the skinks running around in their back yard and declined saying that it is illegal and they didnt understand why its necessary to have a license for a species roaming thier backyard and safely believe there is a lot of people with the same opinion.

[Clairebear]

With SO many available captive bred, by breeders who work hard to successfully breed their animals, what's the point in taking them from the wild unless it's cause you want to avoid paying for them or bothering with a license. It's for your own benefit not the snakes. And yes they were all originally wild caught but these days most species just don't need to be...

I wouldn't dob someone in, but i think some people are arrogant enough to think they are above the law and while captive bred animals for most species are so readibly attainable what's the point of taking them out.

JMO like most of you have put in so far.

[Shayne]

I will admit that I have kept 2 wild caught Jackeys and have no licence. I did this because my 4 year old son has a natural fasentation for reptiles and I wanted to fuel his interest in these things instead of computer games, but I also wanted too see how long the novely lasted before paying out BIG bucks for licences and setups. I had enough gear from keeping tropical fish to set us up with a basic unit to keep the two Jackey Lizaeds happy. My son has loved every minute of it, holding them, catching varius insects in garden keeping him occupied for hours and through this site, google searches and pet shops we have learnt alot about keeping these guys and ensuring they get the greatest care. We have since let them go right back were we got them. They were happy, healthy and now I think we are ready to do all the work you guys have put in, licences and all. It will be money well spent and my son will grow to be a fine addition to the many keepers of reptiles and the like in the future.

The other day I was at a family picknick in my bro inlaws house. The dog was going off its head about something. Next minute I find it has got hold of a grand old blue tounge. I gave the dog what for and put the blue tounge in its final resting place, my son and I were greatly saddned and I cant count how many birds I have seen his cat devour over the years. So after all that whats my point ? Really I dont know, but I'm sure you guys will debate my situation.