Illegal skunks everywhere!
puma
Catherine T Holley <cho...@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> wrote:
>If you can import/export endangered species
>such as tigers, apes, etc. (but no dragons :-} ) Why do they not export skunks?
>Is the problem the rabies question, and if so, why are some types of bats
>inported/exported to zoos where they must be around humans and can spread
>rabies to other animal species? (Bat lovers, please don't flame me; I really
>like bats, too.)
Countries where there is no resident population of a particular creature
are usually VERY cautious about allowing anyone to import one. The
problem is that you are never sure what would happen if one (two,
really, one male, one female) were to get away and start a wild colony
of their kind. With no natural predators, the results could be an
ecological disaster (then again, they might just die...).
The state of Florida had/is having a terrible problem with giant snails
that someone brought in illegally from Hawaii. They are all over the
place. One of the reasons that California gave for outlawing Gerbils
was that they would thrive in the desert climate, if they were to get
away. I'm not sure you could use the same argument for ferrets and
skunks, but that was what I heard regarding Gerbils.
Then there is the potential disease problem. Lengthy quarantines are
common, and very expensive.
roci stone
>problem is that you are never sure what would happen if one (two,
>really, one male, one female) were to get away and start a wild colony
>of their kind. With no natural predators, the results could be an
>ecological disaster (then again, they might just die...).
>
>The state of Florida had/is having a terrible problem with giant snails
>that someone brought in illegally from Hawaii. They are all over the
>place. One of the reasons that California gave for outlawing Gerbils
>was that they would thrive in the desert climate, if they were to get
>away. I'm not sure you could use the same argument for ferrets and
>skunks, but that was what I heard regarding Gerbils.
>
>Then there is the potential disease problem. Lengthy quarantines are
>common, and very expensive.
Believe it or not, you just hit on the two reasons DFG will say out here
in CA for most things in their "blanket" animal statute. There is some
truth to it in the case of nations ans states. (I've heard about the
snail problems in FLA.. used to live in Cocoa Beach..)
But don't believe what they tell you about Gerbils. The main reason that
the moralistic SOB's out here made them illegal was that people were
useing them for certain sexual practices that they didn't care for.
Morality legislates again!
The thing that makes this "Ferral" clause in the law so odious to ferret
owners (and to alot of other folks with exotic pets) is that Domestic
ferrets *DIE*
(rather terribly) when left to fend for themselves in the wild. Ferret
owners know this, and it's one reason we're so careful (not only when
sitting down, or using the rocking chair!) The DFG knows it too, but it
sounds good, and most folks don't know any better. DFG comes off as the
stalwart protector of animals (ICK!)
My own experience as a vet tech has let me see what happens to abandoned
exotic pets (Yes, the Doctor I studdied with also did Ferrets! He had 4
of them!) so this vision that DFG has of ferral Ferrets washing over the
poor, helpless citizens of California is a *100% **CROCK**
And the same has been done with every exotic species that is legal to
hold in other states. I personally think that any mustelid up to and
including Wolverines (!) should be legal in California in singles
(male/female) and in pairs if proper spay/neuter procedure is followed.
I have a friend up in Washington State who used to work for Disney. He
managed to "grandfather in" the wolverines he had kept as pets for YEARS
before the laws changed up there. Gads, he could tell you stories!
roci
Eric A. Schwartz
>In article <2mn3t0$n...@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>,
>Catherine T Holley <cho...@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> wrote:
>>If you can import/export endangered species
>>such as tigers, apes, etc. (but no dragons :-} ) Why do they not
>>export skunks?
>>Is the problem the rabies question, and if so, why are some types of bats
>>inported/exported to zoos where they must be around humans and can spread
>>rabies to other animal species? (Bat lovers, please don't flame me; I really
>>like bats, too.)
>
case of large fruit bats, which are not true bats at all anyway) are
too small to puncture skin, so they cannot transmit rabies even if they
have it. Most of the bat rabies scare comes from two things: there
is a strain of rabies that is capable of being carried in bats without
symptoms, and there are a couple of cases of rabies deaths due to spelunkers
(cave explorers) who inhaled droplets of infected bat urine while in a
very well-lived-in cave.
>The state of Florida had/is having a terrible problem with giant snails
>that someone brought in illegally from Hawaii. They are all over the
>place. One of the reasons that California gave for outlawing Gerbils
>was that they would thrive in the desert climate, if they were to get
>away. I'm not sure you could use the same argument for ferrets and
>skunks, but that was what I heard regarding Gerbils.
>
As much as I hate to admit it about CA, they are probably correct
regarding Gerbils. There is a good chance they could outcompete the local
desert rodents, and cause ecological ruin. Why are hamsters legal
in CA? Because of intensive lobbying efforts by John Marsh and
Gulf Hamsteries way back in the 50's. Personally, I also think there
was a good deal of bribery involved, but I can't back that up with any
evidence.
As to skunks, they are already native to CA, so it's not valid. As to
ferrets, the official reason they are barred from CA is that they are
potential agricultural pests. IMO, again I think the real reason is
that there is no ferret or skunk lobby or commercial interest that can
grease enough of the right palms to get them legalized. Even now that
the legislature of CA is probably going to pass legislation to permit
ferrets, the governor is threatening to veto it.
>Then there is the potential disease problem. Lengthy quarantines are
>common, and very expensive.
>
Possibly valid regarding skunks, completely nonsensical regarding ferrets.
Several independent studies have proven that ferrets cannot transmit
rabies to humans even when they do have it, and the effectiveness of
vaccination is higher in ferrets than in dogs or cats.
E.S.
Dave Bell
But it can be surprising what is a non-native species. Here in Britain,
include rabbits on the list. There are also wild wallabies, though the
colony in Derbyshire may have died out. They still flourish on an
island in Loch Lomond.
The flip side is the serious consideration being given to the
re-introduction of extinct megafauna. Again, in the case of Britain,
such things as wolves, wild boar, and the European Black Bear.
I think it's a black bear. My brother works with the people who are
discussing this, and apparently suggested their wing of the office
block as a trial site for the re-introduction of velociraptors.
Dave
... A Dragon is For Life, Not Just for Hogswatchnight.
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Dave Bell
EAS> As to skunks, they are already native to CA, so it's not valid. As to
EAS> ferrets, the official reason they are barred from CA is that they are
EAS> potential agricultural pests. IMO, again I think the real reason is
EAS> that there is no ferret or skunk lobby or commercial interest that can
EAS> grease enough of the right palms to get them legalized. Even now that
EAS> the legislature of CA is probably going to pass legislation to permit
EAS> ferrets, the governor is threatening to veto it.
I'm a farmer. And I'm trying to figure just what agricultural operation
ferrets would be a potential threat to, as distinct from other small
predators. And I can't think of anything obvious. A feral cat or dog
is probably much more of a threat to livestock, of all sizes.
Dave
... "I'm not stupid, I'm not going, and I'm not expendable..."
Stripey
>But don't believe what they tell you about Gerbils. The main reason that
>the moralistic SOB's out here made them illegal was that people were
>useing them for certain sexual practices that they didn't care for.
>Morality legislates again!
I think the gerbils like it better with the law in place. :)