Outdoor News Daily

The capture of a 12-foot-long Burmese python a week ago from a lawn in Port of Tampa was the “last straw” for many reptile owners. Spurred by more negative publicity of a Burmese python on the loose, several dozen reptile owners have come together to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person, or people, responsible for releasing the snake or allowing it to escape. The reward is $18,400.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been dealing with released and wild Burmese pythons, listed as a reptile of concern, for the past several years. While some pythons are known to have escaped into the wild, others may have been intentionally released. The Burmese python may reach a length of 26 feet and a weight of more than 200 pounds.

All reptiles of concern, when in the wild, can prey on native wildlife and potentially can be dangerous to people. Several permitted reptile dealers and owners have assisted the agency in capturing wild Burmese pythons on state-managed areas in South Florida since July.

With heightened public awareness, calls to the FWC about the large snakes have increased significantly, and many reptile owners are concerned that the public’s image of them is inaccurate.
Michael Cole is a reptile dealer in Central Florida. He owns and operates Ballroom Pythons South.

“Most people who own Burmese pythons and other reptiles of concern are very responsible pet owners and would never release them or inadequately cage them,” Cole said. “It is not fair to categorize us as a bad group of people. We care for our pets, and we care for Florida’s wildlife and ecosystems.”

The FWC enacted rules in January 2008 regulating reptiles of concern. Reptiles of concern are the Burmese python, African rock python (northern and southern), amethystine python, reticulated python, green anaconda and the Nile monitor lizard. To own one of these animals, an FWC permit is required. The permit costs $100, and a questionnaire must be completed. In addition, the animal must be micro-chipped; it is required to be caged, and the cage must meet certain caging requirements. A disaster plan for securing or evacuating the animal must be written, and the FWC will make on-site and unannounced inspections. The laws apply to every reptile of concern owner, regardless of when the owner took possession of the animal.

“Our aim is not to take away the rights of reptile owners, but to make sure those who have the animals are responsible and the animals are cared for and not released,” said Capt. John West, of the FWC’s Captive Wildlife Section. “Like anything, if the laws are followed, there are fewer problems.”

To provide owners of reptiles of concern an avenue to get rid of their animals, rather than to release them, the FWC directed staff on Dec. 10 to implement an executive order that will allow the reptiles to be turned over to authorized reptile of concern permit holders with no questions asked. The executive order will take effect in approximately two to three weeks.

“We want all reptile keepers and pet owners to be responsible,” Cole said. “If you’re not legal, you’re not part of us.”To report information regarding this case and to collect the reward, or to report any wildlife law violation, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Reward Program at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

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