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State Agency Creates Amnesty Events For Owners Of Exotic Pets

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The Associated Press

Published: September 18, 2008

Updated: 09/18/2008 12:28 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Residents who own reptiles that are not native to Florida can now give up their pets without facing a penalty - instead of releasing them into the Everglades.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement Thursday that releasing exotic animals - such as iguanas and pythons - is a "significant pathway for the introduction of nonnative species." Plus, it's illegal.

Wildlife officials were most concerned with pythons being released into the wild since they do not have a natural predator, said spokeswoman Patricia Behnke. Several years ago, the carcasses of a 13-foot python and a 6-foot gator were found floating in a marsh, the gator's tail and hind legs protruding from the split-open gut of the python.

Large cats, such as a cougar, are also a concern if released near neighborhoods, Behnke said.

The commission adopted the new rules on Wednesday that set up a series of pet amnesty events so pet owners can surrender their unwanted pets to a wildlife sanctuary instead of illegally releasing them. These sanctuaries are mostly for exhibit and rehabilitative purposes, said Behnke.

Last February, more than 150 pets were handed over to officials at Miami MetroZoo on "Exotic Pet Amnesty Day."

The next event will be held at the Jacksonville Zoo on Nov. 22. Another one will take place in Miami in early 2009.

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