The move aims to limit environmental and economic damage. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida wildlife officials approved new rules to ban owning or breeding several python species and other “high-risk” reptiles. The time has come. Keepers of large constrictors like Burmese and Reticulated Pythons must now rehome their beloved pets out of state as fast as possible as it's unknown if FWC will actually grandfather any of the permit holding pet owner's or breeder's animals. (MORE: Incredible Image of Blue and Red Lightning Captured by Hawaii Telescope). Florida stakeholders should contact Senator Gary Farmer and Representative Michael Gottlieb, as well as their own senators and representatives, and make them aware of FWC’s authority regarding reptiles. Burmese pythons also have broad diets, consuming native mammals, birds, and some reptiles. The state agency estimates 180 of 593 introduced invasive species in Florida are reptiles, 92% of them introduced by the live trade of animals. Posted on February 26, 2021 March 5, 2021 by William C. | 8179 Views | 15 min read. Tegus, Tucker explained, have broad diets where they consume fruits, vegetables, alligator eggs and threatened gopher tortoise hatchlings. The rules also ban importation of these species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted Thursday on a final rule change regarding restrictions on non-native reptiles. “If they didn't know that they could contact me and somebody hadn't said, ‘Hey, this person takes these animals,’ they would have just left those animals on the side of the road,” she said. Before the vote, commissioners shared their own input. Florida could soon prevent people from owning several snake species, as the Florida Wildlife Commission seeks to ban personal or commercial use of 16 “high-risk” reptiles. The state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted Thursday to restrict 16 "high risk" non-native species. How Winter Fashion Has Changed in 100 Years (PHOTOS), Eerie Vintage Photos of People Battling the Flu, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Français, State of Vatican City (Holy See) | Italiano. Those against the proposal say it could kill a multi-million-dollar industry in the state. While the problem is seen mostly as one that affects the Everglades and South Florida, the state's invasive species are taking hold farther north. FWC commissioners will decide whether or not to ban certain reptiles from being owned, sold, or exported in Florida. After the presentation, the commission provided the opportunity for people to speak. FWC approves rule changes to help protect Florida from 16 high-risk invasive reptiles Media contact: Carli Segelson 772-215-9459, Carli.Segelson@MyFWC.com Release Date: 02-25-2021 All Articles Tags: “They are more than just pets to me and to other people. Florida's tropical climate, combined with its position as a shipping and air transportation hub, have led to the state having one of the worst problems with invasive animals and plants in the nation, according to the U.S. The rules vary according to species. Reptile distributors say it won’t solve Florida’s invasives problem and will destroy their way of life. I mean this, it's wrecking havoc within Florida. Invasive species can cause extensive environmental and ecological damage by preying on native wildlife and destroying habitat and infrastructure. Published February 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM EST. Use escape to clear. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Thursday approved new rules to address the importation, breeding and possession of high-risk invasive reptiles—overruling the objections of those in the exotic pet industry. “This is wreaking havoc within Florida. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online. People move to Florida, why? Use up and down arrows to change selection. “They are a part of our family, they are a part of our being.”. Giant Argentinian black and white tegu lizards, for example, have established populations in Central Florida and have been spotted in two counties in Georgia. “Commercial breeding for sale and pet ownership play a significant role in...increasing the number of individual animals that could escape,” the FWC’s Director of the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation said. More than 4,000 people submitted written comments to the FWC, while others called in to speak during the Thursday meeting. Recently searched locations will be displayed if there is no search query. FWC commissioners, who voted unanimously for the ban, said the state had little choice but to take action. This is not good news for the industry. Many, like pythons and green iguanas, are already well-established in the wild, mostly because of pets being released or escaping. Which City Is the Worst for Fall Allergies This Year? “We’ve got to put our foot down,” Commissioner Rodney Barreto said at the meeting, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Many expressed dismay over the new rules. More than 500 nonnative species have been reported in Florida with more than 139 having established populations, meaning they are reproducing in the wild, according to the FWC. “People who own reptiles have a mental and emotional connection to them,” said reptile owner Nicole Tisdale, who lives in Maryland and has reconsidered moving to Florida because of the new rules, according to the Tampa Bay Times. FWC seeks to ban tegu, iguana sales. They move here for our environment, our beaches, our lakes.”'. Tucker also said a 2005 study showed invasive species have a negative economic impact nationwide that exceeds $184 billion annually. Heather Hale is president of Hexxuss Reptile Rescue & Retirement Inc. in Tampa. The FWC recently voted to restrict 16 non-native species, including pythons. Breeders say it’s useless. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM. “And now we are seeing the numbers and the size of the pythons coming out of places like Big Cypress National Preserve.”. That's why during its February meeting FWC approved new rules that would address the importation, breeding and possession of 16 high-risk invasive reptiles. “About 80% of our mammal population has disappeared from Everglades National Park alone,” said Superintendent Pedro Ramos of the National Parks Foundation. Robert Edman, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gives a python-catching demonstration on Jan. 10, 2020, in Sunrise, Florida. WUSF is reporting on how distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine exposes inequities in Florida’s health care system. 15. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering banning people from buying tegus and green iguanas to keep as pets. © Copyright TWC Product and Technology LLC 2014, 2021. Christina Loizou is a WUSF/USF Zimmerman School digital news intern for the spring of 2021. But Bandre and other reptile sellers say FWC's proposed ban also isn't grounded in solid science to prove it's needed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission held a virtual meeting Thursday where they approved the prohibition of the ownership and commercial use of 16 out of 4,000 nonnative and invasive reptiles. In her presentation to the commissioners before the vote, Melissa Tucker stressed that banning the commercial breeding and pet ownership of these reptiles is necessary. Coverage of the wastewater spill at the Manatee County processing plant. Las Vegas Looks to Be First to Ban Ornamental Grass, Coast Guard Evacuates Residents Covered in Volcanic Dust, Northern Lights Over Alberta, Canada, Show Just How Beautiful Earth Can Be, Cold or Flu? “Aside from causing extensive damage to Florida’s unique natural landscapes, controlling these destructive animals costs taxpayers millions of dollars every year.”. According to the FWC, 10,000 tegus have been removed from Florida's wilderness since 2012. The United States Association of Reptile Keepers, based in North Carolina, sued the federal government in 2013 to undo a nationwide 2012 ban on importing … That dollar amount is adjusted to 2021 costs. 9 Ways to Tell the Difference. WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. Current pet owners will be allowed to keep their animals, and the rule allows breeding of the animals through 2024. OLDSMAR, Fla. - Florida lawmakers want to crack down on invasive animals, and are considering banning owning, selling and breeding at least nine different reptile species. On Thursday, February 25, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider rules that are meant to keep invasive species of reptiles, such as boa constrictors, pythons, and tegus, from continuing to wreak havoc in the Everglades and across the state. We've given the industry ample opportunity,” said Chairman Rodney Barreto. MIAMI (CBSMiami) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Thursday will take up a plan to address tegu lizards, pythons, and other invasive reptiles that officials say are causing damage in the state. SB1236 and HB1105 have not been assigned to committees nor scheduled for hearings. Others said the ban would be damaging to the reptile job and rescue industry. “It’s like my sons and my daughters.”. FWC is just really throwing us under the bus with this, said Potts, owner of Herp Hobby Shop in Oldsmar, Florida. From pythons to giant lizards to those iguanas known for falling from trees in cold weather, Florida is putting new restrictions on the import, breeding and possession of more than a dozen invasive reptiles. Yet putting restrictions on breeding and selling non-native snakes and other reptiles isn't without controversy. The most attention-grabbing of Florida's invasive species is probably the Burmese python. The ban of large constrictors, tegus and iguanas is not going to help with what is happening in the Southern part of Florida. And once they do escape -- or are released into the wild -- they can do major damage. More than 500 non-native species have been reported in Florida. And green iguanas can degrade the integrity of important infrastructure with their burrowing behavior and consuming native plants that some native species rely on. To Bob Potts, FWC s new reptile rule reeks of regulatory overreach, verging on well cold-blooded. The FWC contends 16 "high-risk, invasive reptiles" pose a big threat to the state's ecology, economy and safety. The snakes have taken hold in parts of South Florida and the Everglades, where they prey on several native species, including federally endangered Key Largo woodrats. Some of the species are already established in the wild. The FWC contends 16 “high-risk, invasive reptiles” pose a big threat to the state’s ecology, economy and safety. The pet leasing ban may be the ultimate plan for this bill. Credit: . ban, is biased against their trade, and has much bigger exotic sh and invasive species to fry than snakes kept by hob-byists. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | The rules, which were approved by a unanimous vote, apply to animals like the Argentine black and white tegu, Burmese python, and green iguana that are found to be “high-risk” to Florida’s environment and economy. FWC said the exotic species pose a significant threat to Florida’s fragile ecosystems like the Everglades, and that current regulations are no longer effective in managing their expansion and damage. “All Floridians are impacted by these highly invasive reptiles, whether they realize it or not,” said Bennett. "The FWC should have taken the regulatory step to ban possession and commercial trade in green iguanas and tegus years ago before the animals had … Some opponents of the ban talked about their emotional ties to reptiles. The list includes Burmese pythons, Northern African Pythons, Nile monitor lizards, […] "With such hospitable winters, a few escapes can become populations, and then taxpayers and private landowners are on the hook for millions annually in eradication and management costs.". Those who agreed with the proposal voiced reasons similar to what Tucker presented. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission held a virtual meeting Thursday where they approved the prohibition of the ownership and commercial use of 16 out of 4,000 nonnative and invasive reptiles. The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. For the management of the Argentine black and white tegu, she said “nearly $1 million is spent in managing the unregulated species.”. Florida approves ban on pet pythons, other reptiles Florida wildlife officials approved new rules to ban owning or breeding several python species and other "high-risk" reptiles. We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good. This is my family,” reptile hobbyist Jasmine Avian said. Part of the problem is that the creatures do well in the state's subtropical climate. Regulations for Prohibited Snakes and Lizards FWC Commissioners approved rule changes to Chapter 68-5, F.A.C. State and local governments spend millions of dollars a year fighting invasive species and repairing the damage they cause. Florida invasive species battle continues as FWC bans “high-risk” reptiles from commercial breeding and pet ownership. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We got to put our foot down. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to add 16 reptiles to a list of prohibited species, including several python species, green iguanas and all species of tegu lizards. on February 25, 2021 which added 16 high-risk nonnative reptiles to Florida’s Prohibited list. By, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission, Researchers Find Potential New Threat To Biscayne And Florida Bays: Microplastics, FEMA Sites To Resume Giving J&J Vaccines On Sunday, Florida Surpasses 2.2 Million COVID-19 Cases, Manatee Sees Most New Cases In Two Months, Budget Deal Avoids Health Cuts, Gives Boost To Teachers, Florida Discusses Invasive Tegus As South Carolina Votes To Ban Them, FWC Considers Banning Commercial Sale Of Tegus, Green Iguanas, New Florida Rules Would Tighten Restrictions On Invasive Reptiles, Reptile Breeders Respond To State Proposal That Could Prohibit Pythons, Other Exotics. “Breeding invasive exotic species in Florida is like playing with matches in a tinder box," Julie Wraithmell, vice president and executive director of Audubon Florida, said in an FWC news release. Please note: If one these bills passes, … The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted today to ban the commercial breeding and keeping of several invasive species of reptiles in the state, including tegus, iguanas, and several python species. They can grow up to four feet long and live to be 20 years old. Elise Bennett, an environmental attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, stated that the measures would reduce the risk of more escapes and releases into the wild. Eighty percent of the non-native species were introduced via the live animal trade. Type at least three characters to start auto complete. More than 200 people called into the meeting to share their thoughts. Those who breed and sell the animals said the new rules will limit their livelihood. The … Green iguanas, famous for falling from trees when they become cold-stunned during times of chilly temperatures, were first reported in Miami-Dade County in the 1960s. The commission extended the public comment period from two hours to three, but many were still in line and weren’t able to speak when time expired. Examples include the white-tail deer, the endangered Key Largo woodrat and the roseate spoonbill. They've now established themselves in at least six other counties along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the FWC says. Between 1999 and 2010, more than 12 million wild-caught reptiles were imported into the U.S., and of those more than 9 million reptiles were imported through Florida ports, FWC says. The first option will be automatically selected. Take control of your data. Green Iguana – Courtesy: Image by Scottslm from Pixabay. On the list are Burmese pythons, Argentine black and white tegus, green iguanas to name a few. Robert Edman, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gives a python-catching demonstration on Jan. 10, 2020, in Sunrise, Florida.

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