It is nice to think that the law enforcement would actually take as much action as you are speaking of, but it is not like that. I wish it was but its not. I've tried to report people who let the sick reptiles out the back doors of the pet shop to 'give em a chance' but no body would take action. I called all the numbers. I even called the police. Nobody who has the power to do anything cares. Think of all the damage to the natural environment thats done by letting disease ridden, captive, exotic reptiles free to introduce all kinds of lovely diseases to our few native species of turtles and frogs and lizards that still struggle to live in the place that used to be their home before it was invaded.

Growing up I always caught wild animals and cared for them and often released them. This was how I learned. I wasn't about to go buy an animal at 8 yrs. old just to study it and then let it go. And until recently, I had no idea of the negative consequences that can result from messing with wild animals. Now I do take pictures and leave the animals where I found them, unless that was in the middle of an intersection. You all shouldn't be so harsh. These things are a part of growing up.

i think that by helping the poor animal that was caught and then letting it go, you have probably not only saved it's life but the lives of future generations. I see nothing wrong with this act of charity. It's just helping a sick animal get better and then putting it right back where you found it.

BTW, i have caught of few EFL's here in Georgia too. They are really fast but far easier to catch than the blue tailed skinks.

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

If I knew of people deliberately letting sick (or healthy for that matter) exotics into the wild, I would make such a nuisance of myself that they would have to pay attention! And beleive me I have had a lot of experience in making a nuisance of myself!

Hmmm Anyways,...

I imagine that you would find that many of us got our start catching wild reptiles as children. In fact for most of us "old timers" that was all there was. There were no captive bred reptiles to speak of. You saw lots of hatchling red ear sliders (few of them survived) and the occassional garter snake. That was about it! The abundance of species that are now available to us commercialy is a fairly recent development.
However there have been a lot of problems in the last few years and many of them are directly related to humans interfering with the natural order of things. We are not intending to sound harsh but the hazards we warn of are very real. We have many of the next generation of herpers and caretakers of our wilds on this and other forums. We would be derelect in not providing them this information.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

i guess I understand where your coming from now merlin. You mean that it's up to mother nature to decide what should die and live and interfering with things will throw the cycle out of balance. I guess that's one way to think of it. I just don't think i'd have the heart to leave a sick animal alone to die. Even if it's what's best. To tell the truth, i really don't know exactly what I would do.

__________________
-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"