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Herding Florida's Unwanted Beasts

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

Pythons, iguanas and other exotic animals are some Floridians' pets of choice, but they pose danger to the state's native wildlife and fragile ecosystems if they escape or, worse, are illegally let loose.

Fortunately, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to give unlicensed pet owners a legal - and humane - way to get rid of exotic wildlife and fish they no longer want or can't continue to care of. They should take advantage of the opportunity.

Under proposed regulations announced last week, these owners would be allowed to give up their nonnative pets to licensed individuals, organizations and zoos without risk of prosecution. Licensed "adopters" would be authorized to accept the animals, a move that's not currently allowed.

Further, local animal control agencies would be allowed to accept exotics from unlicensed owners, who wouldn't face penalties in this case either.

Although letting owners bring these animals to local shelters would be problematic because many facilities already are overloaded with dogs and cats, the FWC's moves still are a logical expansion of a three-year-old pet amnesty program.

As part of that effort, 148 nonnative animals were turned in at Miami MetroZoo in February - and all were adopted. The animals included pet scorpions, pythons, boas, turtles and a serval cat that's native to Africa.

These are important options for both licensed and unlicensed owners of exotic pets. Animals that aren't native to Florida upset the environment, endangering native animals, plants and people. In South Florida, for example, the illegal release of pythons into the Everglades has become a big problem, and iguanas are wreaking havoc in the gardens and yards of homeowners in other areas.

Development already poses a major threat to Florida's unprotected environmentally sensitive areas, wildlife and habitat. The FWC's amnesty program and new rules will help prevent nonnative animals and fish from adding to that threat by giving owners a way to give up their pets instead of dumping them in wilderness or populated areas.

And for those concerned that unwanted animals will end up euthanized, don't worry. The FWC says it will work hard to find new homes, including zoos, licensed individuals and exhibits, and they'll take all creatures great and small. "Even an elephant," says spokeswoman Pat Behnke.

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