WA's CALM (or what ever they call themselves now)

[stencorp69]

Who would belong to snakebusters here in WA (the voluteer catch and release list). I was speaking to a group down at ARC yesterday and heard about some of the conditions for catch and release. How's this for a few conditions;

1. You need to wear the CALM voluteer shirt when going out to an emergency callout - OK I can see the logic, but it could be inconvienient if you were at work and had to rush out.

2. You need to ring CALM before you go out to a site - OK if all your doing is sitting around the house waiting for a call

3. Get the property owner to site a waver if you need to move anything to get the reptile.

By the time you've done all that if there is enough time you can go and remove and relocate the reptile

4. You need to ring CALM when you leave the site

5. If its a python you can't release it into the wild - you have to give it to CALM who then tender it of to the pet trade . Nice way to use up your voluteers and not really focusing on the animal's welfare.

I don't know about you, but for me it smells off - doesn't treat people who are doing the public a service - removing reptiles, with respect. If they are worried about catch and release voluteers doing the wrong thing maybe they should vet them before they issue a permit.

[urodacus_au]

Its a joke, CALM is well known for making life hard for the genuine herp and life easy for the criminal.
Id happily volunteer but its not worth all the crap involved.

They can change the name, but they cant change the smell.
Jordan

[stencorp69]

Originally Posted by urodacus_au

Its a joke, CALM is well known for making life hard for the genuine herp and life easy for the criminal.
Id happily volunteer but its not worth all the crap involved.
Jordan

I beginning to understand your annoyance towards CALM, Jordan - I orginally thought you might have been over the top a bit with your dislike of CALM, but things like this just don't make any sense if they are trying to protect the repitles

[urodacus_au]

Its a pity, there are some good people working for CALM, but i think its time for a review of procedures etc.

Easier to keep my head down and mouth shut for the time being.

[Nagraj]

CALM obviously believe they have good reason to impose those conditions. Do you know why they have done so?

[Reptilian]

CALM are just a bunch of...............(pity i cant say what i want)........yes they do make life hard for us, alot of their excuses for imposing some of their rules are pathetic, and it is indeed time for a review of procedures...

[Earthling]

Good question Nagraj.

I believe Calm have an Authoritarian approach to people interested in Reptiles and Reptile keeping, rather then a more beneficial supporting educational role.
They believe they know best and the old saying
"If it wasnt for the customers this operation would run smoothly" applies with CALMs attitude perfectly
As an example:
After walking the Bibbulmun track a couple of years ago I saw the massive destruction CALMS fires were doing to the Tingle forests. Calms controlled burns were hollowing out the lowwer trunks of the Tingle trees and many subsequently came crashing down and died as of weakened trunk support at the base of the tree from these multiple fires. Every time they burn the trees the trunk is hollowed out some more. CALMs response to questioning: "What would you know your not a Ranger/Scientist and if there is any damage its minimal."
This example applies not to reptile keeping however an inferance can be made that if they have this attitude in forest management they have the same attitude in Reptile management.

Very arrogant and authoritrian.

[phoenix]

what a load of rubbish

[Earthling]

?????????????
Phoenix what are you referring to?

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by stencorp69

1. You need to wear the CALM voluteer shirt when going out to an emergency callout - OK I can see the logic, but it could be inconvienient if you were at work and had to rush out.

2. You need to ring CALM before you go out to a site - OK if all your doing is sitting around the house waiting for a call

3. Get the property owner to site a waver if you need to move anything to get the reptile.

By the time you've done all that if there is enough time you can go and remove and relocate the reptile

4. You need to ring CALM when you leave the site

5. If its a python you can't release it into the wild - you have to give it to CALM who then tender it of to the pet trade . Nice way to use up your voluteers and not really focusing on the animal's welfare.

.

Whta they want you to do!!

[Earthling]

Yeah their over the top thats for sure.

[Notechis]

What the hell!! Your joking arnt you? Ive been relocating herps for twenty years in WA and have never had conditions like this. I have not renewed my reg 4 and 15 this year and I dont think I will. Im not dressing up like KERMIT the frog for anybody. If they dont want me to relocate our native fauna with out these conditions then I will forward all my calls for assistance back to D.E.C. (BOY ARE THEY GOING TO BE BUSY!!)

[westaussie]

between you and me "B" they will be overloaded with calls. Right at the busiest time of the year with hatchling dugites terrorising the good folk of suburbia.

[urodacus_au]

Originally Posted by westaussie

between you and me "B" they will be overloaded with calls. Right at the busiest time of the year with hatchling dugites terrorising the good folk of suburbia.

Haha, better start training the troops, is anyone at DEC capable of handling vens? Had a few phone calls for little dugites and a tiger but more for Delmas and Burtons.

Jordan

[Notechis]

Yeah G. Ive just pissed my pants from laughing too much. Aaaaaaaaah!
B.