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Killing 100's and 1000's for the mighty dollar

Thanks for the info on where to get that book.

By the way, am I imagining things or weren't here 40 posts to this thread a couple of days ago and my question about the book was number 40. Now there are 39, this one not included, and some of those came after my question about the book. Were some posts deleted?
 
Why are we bringing up the fact that the initial stock of our captive populations were once wild-caught?  That wasn't the initial point.  The original question asked how people feel about importing literally thousands on a particular snake species that has very low wild fecundity and is commonly bred in captivity.  The question asked if we are snake lovers, how can we still be doing this?  Why not just answer the question?  If you want to go off topic, start a new thread.  If you don't want to answer the question, don't.
 
Jeff and anyone else reading this thread,

As already mentioned, Ball Pythons by Stephan Broggheimer is an excellent book to look at if you are interested in the ball python situation.  Unlike many other good books out there that just go into details of captive maintenance, this book also gives more detail on the import/export/ranching situation than anything else I have personally seen.  This book also has numbers and population studies conducted by CITES from the year 2000.  I think it is a good read so everyone can form a more informed opinion.  
Also, as I stated before, if you disagree, try to enact change.
 
Last year when I was at the loading dock in Miami picking up a S.A. shipment, I listened as federal Fish/Wildlife inspectors commented on the animals there, which included everything from sloths to boas. What I heard (and saw), were comments pertaining to the future of importing wild animals. As they passed out fines, they said they had been as tolerant of poor caging conditions of mammals as long as they could, and the future was only going to get worse for fining and regulations.  (the worst cage was a clean large wooden box with shavings, a sloth,and a spilled water cup, fruit slices,wire front, similar to what I've seen for sale at the local Purina dealer) I know that now, Animal Planet filmers, USDA, and activists are starting to show up at shipment sights(I've seen them&#33<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>, and they're not there to promote it. Brokers spoke of their future discontinuing transshipping of both mammals and birds, and there is no doubt in my mind that ALL wild caught imported reptiles will eventually be so expensive to import, that it will end as birds did, and where mammals are now headed. I see reptiles still coming in covered with ticks, and some dead ones, and the officials above do make note of this, and it is adding up. I received 80 baby tegus 2 years ago, all were dead in the box because the "carrier"(truck that carries boxes from the plane to the cargo area) set the box on the hot bed, and they all fried in transit-the box on top of them were all fine. They're comments: "oh well, you're lucky we even ship reptiles". As importers, we are at the mercy of our exporters and carriers, but even so, I can't imagine sloppy packing methods in this day and age, considering the rising cost of freight, and the scrutiny of the above mentioned observers. Most exporters are now charging a %15 packing charge, if I don't pay it, there's a line of importers behind me who will.

The last shipment of ball pythons I saw were bagged a few to a bag, bags well spaced in well ventilated wood boxes. All reptile shipments would surely cease if Airborne required these conditions, the boxes alone cost quite a bit in Air Freight.

-Kerry Swan
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As importers, we are at the mercy of our exporters and carriers</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> if you truely care for the animals then why not find an exporter that doesnt make you feel as though you are at "his mercy", they are out there ya you will pay more for the animals, but they are out there, why go back if they have screwed ya in the past? as far as the carriers I know what your saying they screw things up and try to pass the buck on to you guys, but theres no reason to use the same exporter if they cant get their crap straight...........just my opinion
 
You're right..I've already dumped two of them for continuing to send crappy animals, then whining about not getting paid enough, etc. etc. ...and exactly happened what I predicted, they were picked up by somebody else, bigger dealers than me. I am in the process of self-destructing as an importer, because I refuse to sell imported emerald tree boas and several other reptiles, and my prices for the few select things I want continue to rise because I won't buy entire shipments. But for now, it's worth it rather than deal with the headaches. --K
 
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