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Rules Expand Amnesty For Nonnative Pets

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The Associated Press

Published: September 21, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Residents who own reptiles that are not native to Florida can now give up their pets without facing a penalty whenever they want - 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 Wednesday that expand 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, Behnke said.

Before, pet owners were only allowed to surrender their animals on designated events. Now, they can simply call their local zoo, or anybody that is licensed to have captive wildlife, if they could take in the animal.

"We are hoping to stop them from driving to a remote area to drop them off," Behnke said.

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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