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Washington joins python chase in Florida
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by tigers9 on July 18, 2009
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http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0718/p02s01-usgn.html
An estimated 150,000 pythons are in south Florida. The state has convened a
task force to hunt the snakes, and now Washington in joining the effort.
PETAR PETROV/AP
Washington joins python chase in Florida
A new federal program will allow snakes to be hunted in the Everglades and other US lands in south Florida.
By Patrik Jonsson | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the July 18, 2009 edition
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ATLANTA - This just in from Washington: The Feds will not only join Florida's great snake hunt, but will expand it to include aerial surveillance and research into the lifestyles of feral Burmese pythons suspected to be lying low, yet waiting to strike, in Everglades National Park and other federal lands.
Earlier this week, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) convened a state-led task force of bounty hunters to chase pythons that aren't in national parks, preserves, or refuges. On Friday morning, that hunt yielded its first catch: Three bounty hunters caught a nine-foot python in Broward County.
When it comes to national parks, however, hunting is not allowed. But the newly announced federal program supersedes that rule.
An estimated 150,000 pythons are in the Everglades and elsewhere in south Florida.
"Burmese pythons are an invasive species that have no place in the Everglades and threaten its delicate ecosystem," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement Friday. "We are committed to aggressively combating this threat, including having trained and well-supervised volunteers hunt down and remove snakes."
The statement did not include a price tag for the program, and calls to the Interior Department were not returned by time of writing.
The July 1 death of a Florida toddler from the grip of an escaped pet python and last week's congressional testimony by Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D) have put the python problem on the national political radar.
The new federal program will include a hunt, research into ways to attract and trap the "cryptic" creatures, unmanned aerial surveillance, and thermal imaging, as well as public-education measures. "There is no one silver bullet," said Paul Souza, a field supervisor for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in the statement announcing the program.
Snake keepers applaud the tack to actually get feet into the swamp to chase down the elusive creatures, which can grow up to 20 feet long and swallow a deer. But they also worry about political and scientific "cherry-picking" of the python issue to boost federal research grants. Such research could be used to increase regulation, they say, which could affect the ability of Americans to keep exotic animals like snakes as pets.
"All these Florida politicians want to be in the position to be called the champion of the Everglades, because there's billions of dollars of Everglades restoration money at stake here," says Andrew Wyatt, president of the US Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK). "These guys [including researchers] are seriously invested in making Burmese pythons a career for themselves."
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RE: Washington joins python chase in Florida
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by Cro on July 18, 2009
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Follow the Money !
That is all that it has ever been about !
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RE: Washington joins python chase in Florida
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by FLherp on July 19, 2009
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If they really wished to protect the Everglades, they would do something about the rampant development along its borders. The economy has taken care of that for the time being, but it is only temporary. I recently read that Bill Nelson has called the Army Corps of Engineers in reference to dredge and fill permits for wetlands, this usually encourages them to approve them more rapidly:
see link: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/18/news_pf/State/As_corps_works_to_fix.shtml
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RE: Washington joins python chase in Florida
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by MoccasinMan on July 22, 2009
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S373, unlike HR669, is not about Animal Rights. It is about money, big money. It is about an ambitious and powerful Senator who wants billions of dollars in Everglades Restoration money that has been withheld because it has historically been squandered with no real results. The Burmese Python in the glades is just a way to get there. This sensationalized issue is being promoted by a group of scientist who also want money... grant money. A high profile "scary" problem that they can study at taxpayers expense for years. USGS, NPS & USFWS are also interested in money, money to extend their power and purview. The Burmese Python and the tool "Invasive Species Threat" can open them up to billions of dollars increasing their power exponentially.
Now add to all of this a tragedy where a 2yr old child is killed; one week before a big Senate Hearing on Invasive Species. Do you see where this thing is going? This is the gift from God Nelson needed to get his bill attention and momentum. Did you watch there hearing?
Right now S373 would ban the import and interstate transport of the entire genus python. Because we have put so much pressure on Nelson he seems to be ready to back off of his original language. The part he will not back away from is the import of Burms. He is already invested in this position. The Senate and the media are in full sympathy... as is the majority of snake fearing public. This is not the broad based pet issue HR669 was. The consensus is that S373 is going to move in short order.... with or without amendment; probably attached to a large spending bill.
We are dedicated to limiting the damage. Would you rather it move as is? .... or with only the import of Burms? Keeping the captive trade in Burms intact and getting all the other pythons out completely?... or losing everything? There is no guarantee that we can stop S373 from banning all the pythons, but we think it is worth fighting for. Please help us fight.
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RE: Washington joins python chase in Florida
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by Cro on July 22, 2009
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Andrew asked:
"Would you rather it move as is? .... or with only the import of Burms? Keeping the captive trade in Burms intact and getting all the other pythons out completely?... or losing everything?"
Right now, the Burmese Python is the "evil villain." It is the one that "invaded" the Everglades, and killed the kid.
Other pythons did not commit such evil acts.
The only way to save the import of all other pythons is to allow the political folks to kill off the import of the evil Burmese Python.
If we fight to keep all pythons, including the Burmese, then we will loose all of them.
Let them have the Burmese, save the rest...........
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Washington joins python chase in Florida
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by FLherp on July 22, 2009
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I have used a passive Thermal Imaging Camera on snakes (just to see). It does work.
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