Hi Jack,
Any problems as yet? What is the legal side of refusing to tag / take bloods due to welfare of the snake? Does the DECCW offer a guarantee on the health of the snakes after vet throwaround? I agree with what they are trying to achieve, but it is a risk versus reward situation - why take these sort of risks with an endangered Reptile?
Cheers
i suspect deccw either monitor, or have information posted on this site forwarded to them as one deccw employee spoke of having seen the photo's on this very thread.
I will therefore be as objective as possible in my comments, and hope that any other posters do likewise.
I will also only disclose the first initial of people involved in this.
I have kept all correspondence between myself and the deccw, and have taken notes during all but one phone conversation described.
A letter signed by B2, handed to me in person by B1, asked for my assistance in the recovery project by allowing my animals to be tagged, and scales taken for DNA analysis.
I phoned B2 and was told politely that refusal to comply, would mean "statutory powers" would be used to take the animals and perform the procedure if a keeper refused. He was dismissive toward my concerns.
The procedure was carried out by a vet. I sighted the instructions given to the vet, signed by B2, that asked for a blood sample to be taken from the animals. No mention had been made in the letter of demand nor phone calls.
two snakes became unwell. one died.
B2 was called, and I was informed that this individual was not in charge of the project, but those that were would be notified.
I organised an autopsy by a highly qualified vet.
M1 called me to ask for the animal for autopsy, i informed them this had been organised already.
M2 called having been informed by their superior M1 of the situation. An offer was made to pay for the autopsy, as the deccw were "eager" to know what had killed the animal ("the aim is to protect not kill protected species"). M2 was the head of the broad head recovery project at deccw. M2 sent two emails to me seeking information and again offering to pay for the autopsy.
although it took some time, the animal was determined to have died from a bacterial infection, the species of bacteria was one that would be expected to be found on the scales. it cannot be conclusively determined but the vet has stated it is likely the bacteria entered the animal during the procedure.
i called M2, who informed me they were now working on another project, and two other individuals would now be running the broad head recovery project. An email later informed me that i should direct further correspondence to M1.
as you can imagine, i am a little peeved that the deccw seem to be responsible for the death of my pet.
in regards to what they are trying to achieve, M2 has informed me that the dna will be used to determine "parentage" of captive animals.
there is contradiction in exact number, but two of the above deccw employees have informed me there are less than 15 animals in captivity, and there are 4 or less keepers, they agree that three animals remain to be tagged and sampled.
i could go on a bit more, but this is the gist of it all... sorry for the cloak and dagger stuff, but some of these people seem like decent sorts and don't need vilification.