Advocating Responsible Reptile Keeping
There have been many questions and conflicting information about the recently passed tegu and native species regulations. To bring some understanding to the situation and help NC keepers prepare, we’ve compiled some of the more common questions. We will provide further updates as information becomes available. Update 5/18/22: NCWRC has finally updated their site and …
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has again introduced a short-sighted bill to amend the Lacey Act, with the title ‘‘Lacey Act Amendments of 2023.” The bill would reverse the USARK federal lawsuit victory by reinstating the ban on interstate transportation of species listed as injurious under the Lacey Act. The bill would also create an …
Raleigh’s city council has voted to implement a ban of “dangerous wild animals”. Under the new ordinance a “dangerous wild animal” is considered by the city to be “any non-domesticated animal, which is normally found in the wild state, is inherently dangerous to person or property, and which generally does not live in or about …
The Raleigh City Council has voted 5-3 in favor of drafting the proposal to prohibit the possession of “dangerous wild animals” with grandfathering and registration. This would include medically significant reptiles and crocodilians. The estimated costs of enacting the proposal are estimated at $865,000 annually for only 250 expected registrants at a projected compliance rate …
The draft of the proposed “dangerous wild animal” proposed by Councilmember David Knight of Raleigh has been released. In good news, the ordinance contains a list of species and in the scope of reptiles, directly prohibits only “medically significant venomous snakes” and crocodilians, and does contain educational and scientific exemptions, as well as a grandfathering …
Proposed ban of “dangerous and wild animals”. In June 2021, an incident occurred in Raleigh in which a zebra cobra (Naja nigricincta) escaped through the negligence of one keeper, Christopher Gifford. In response to this incident legislators from local, to county, to state level sought to tighten restrictions on exotics with the broadest possible brush. …
In February, 2022, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission unilaterally passed a ban on the sale, trade, or transfer of Argentine black and white tegus in NC. This ruling will take effect on August 1, 2022. Fortunately, possession of these amazing animals is still allowed with a possession permit, but it has been an arduous wait …
Blue-tongued skinks and other lizards species have been proposed for listing under CITES Appendix III. Though these lizards may not actually be endangered, Australia wants their trade regulated because of their worldwide popularity as pets. CITES Appendix III listing will require extra paperwork and documentation for export, which would be handled by USFWS within the …
Recently, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission voted to ban the possession of Argentine black and white tegus, Salvator merianae. These animals will still be legal to keep with a permit obtained prior to August 1, 2022. This means that yes, there is a limited window of time to legally acquire an Argentine black and …
Wildlife trafficker Ashtyn Michael Rance pleads guilty in turtle poaching and Lacey Act violations. He has been sentenced to serve 33 months in prison on each count concurrently to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $4,300 fine. He also can no longer sell or possess wildlife while under supervised release. Additionally, …