Phil and Garrett discuss the potential additions to the Endangered Species Act, as well as the ever-threatening Lacey Act Amendments
It’s been happening since 2010 and now attendees get a two-day show! Head to Cincinnati, hit the Cin City show, and stay for the USARK auction! You will find all of the critters, supplies, enclosures, and more at this show so head over and check it out. It’s going to be a good one! Thank you to the show promoters for supporting USARK and the herp community. Website: https://cincityreptileshow.com/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077420378236
Date: September 9-10 with auction Saturday night (scheduled to start at 6:30 PM)
Location: Holiday Inn Cincinnati North, 5800 Muhlhauser Road West Chester, OH 45069
Latest Video
Watch our latest video and subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY2h2-HtfME&t=29s.
Phil and Garrett discuss the potential additions to the Endangered Species Act, as well as the ever-threatening Lacey Act Amendments. Also included is a personal thank you from USARK to former Chairman of the Board of USARK, Gary Bagnall, who gave so much of his time, resources, and ability to ensure the rights of reptile keepers everywhere are protected.
New Shirt For Sale + USARK Info Cards
Buy the shirt at https://usark.org/product/shirt-tarantula/.
Buy info cards at https://usark.org/shop/ (three options).
Artist edition shirt!
The tarantula artwork was created by Adeline Robinson Art at https://www.adelinerobinsonart.com. This screen-printed, cotton/polyester blend shirt is extremely soft and wrinkle-resistant with a slightly modern fit (but true to size). U.S. domestic shipping is free! Plus, one USARK sticker per shirt is included. No international shipping at this time.
NOTE: Most shirts will arrive in 10 business days or less (but there may be delays). You will receive tracking via email when your order ships.
CITES Amphibian Trade Review
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is conducting a review of the global amphibian trade. As part of this effort, CITES and The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have developed a questionnaire to gather information on amphibians, including the following:
- the levels of international trade in amphibians (legal and illegal);
- captive breeding of amphibians;
- threat of diseases to and from amphibians in trade;
- and the national/regional (and/or local) management, enforcement and regulatory priorities of amphibians in international trade.
Read the CITES announcement and take the survey (link on the second page) at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23-CITES-amphibians.pdf.
Additional information and any inquiries relating to the survey should be submitted by email to the IUCN at Oliver.Tallowin@iucn.org and copy to info@cites.org.
Potential ESA Listings
UPDATE 8/17/23: This has been posted in the Federal register at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/17/2023-17726/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-90-day-findings-for-five-species. Tomorrow (8/17/23) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will post this document in the Federal Register (found on our website at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23-borneo-earless-ESA.pdf).
FWS will be considering these species to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): Bornean earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis), blue tree monitor lizard (Varanus macraei), bleached sandhill skipper (Polites sabuleti sinemaculata), and pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus). When a nonnative species is listed under ESA, even domestically born and bred animals can no longer be sold in interstate commerce by private breeders. This is actually anti-conservation as these animals in the wild face habitat decimation, and poaching for medicinal, food, and other purposes. Rather than allowing the global population of a species to grow to conserve species, ESA listings prevent that from happening in the U.S. The petition was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. We will post links and updates at https://usark.org/23esa2/ when available. You can read more about the problems caused by the ESA listing of nonnative species at https://usark.org/23esa/.
Gary Bagnall resigns as Chairman of the Board
Gary Bagnall, the founder and CEO of Zoo Med, has played an integral role in USARK for more than fourteen years and was most recently serving as USARK’s Chairman of the Board. After so much time and attention devoted to ensuring USARK could succeed, Gary has decided to resign from the Board and focus his energy on other projects. One of these projects includes his non-profit Museum of Aquarium and Pet History (www.moaph.org). Gary and Zoo Med will still fully support USARK going forward, including pro bono services and maintaining their status as our largest and most consistent donor.
Gary wants herpetoculturists to know: “I am incredibly grateful to the current Board members for their dedication and Phil Goss for handling the heavy lifting and day-to-day work of USARK to ensure not-so-well-meaning bureaucrats and animal rights groups do not shut down the industry and hobby that we all love and work in. Zoo Med will still support USARK to the tune of $10,000 per month. Plus, we will continue our other services to USARK and the community.”
“It is a fact that USARK never could have flourished and prevented so much bad legislation without Gary’s support. USARK never would have gotten off the ground without him. Gary and Zoo Med allowed USARK to become the voice of responsible herpetoculture,” states USARK President Phil Goss, who fully realizes just how much the herpetocultural community owes Gary.
Jeff Ronne, owner of The Boaphile and Boaphile Plastics, celebrated Gary’s impact by saying, “Thank you for saving my livelihood. I truly believe they would have ended us if you had not stepped in when you did. Thank you for your tireless efforts and commitment of your assets and business to help in every way possible. I and my family thank you personally.”
Todd Goodman, owner of Timberline Live Pet Foods, has been chosen by the Board to replace Gary as Chairman. Todd had this to say: “My description of your time with USARK is one where I say USARK would never have continued to be around or effective had it not been for you. Thank you for your vision and efforts, your continued support, and your trust. Big shoes are hard to fill, so I think it best we set yours aside for bronzing. I am committed to USARK so whatever capacity this Board thinks is appropriate; I am willing to continue to help. President Emeritus, I/we are truly thankful for you.”
The USARK Board thanks Gary for his perseverance and guidance. The Reptile Nation would have crumbled without him and our entire industry is indebted to his generosity. Thank you, Gary. Other Board members had these sentiments:
“Thank you for your lifelong dedication to the industry and building this lifeline for us.” – James Badman, Phoenix Reptile Expo and Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group
“Gary, thank you so much for what you have done for this industry and especially these fourteen years with USARK. I am forever grateful for everything you have done, contributed, and helped to save this amazing industry we all work in. Take care, and much success with your nonprofit pet museum.” – Loren Leigh, LLL Reptile
“Thank you for everything you’ve done over the years! You are a pillar to the reptile community. We will miss you and hope to see you soon.” – Ramy Guirguis, Reptile Super Show
“Thank you for all that you have done for USARK.” – Warren Booth, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Virginia Tech “Gary was more than a tremendous asset to USARK and reptile keepers. He has been our bedrock.” – Ralph Davis, Ralph Davis Reptiles
Vanessa Costanzo, USARK Administrative Director, added: “Thank you, Gary, for everything you have done for USARK and the industry. You are an inspiration!”
ALERT: Lacey Act Amendments
UPDATE: We have updated our alert with links to contact all sponsors and co-sponsors of the two Lacey Act amendment bills now in Congress. Please check if you are a constituent of any of the listed legislators and then take action if you are. Thank you! Check out our latest video about this on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmtZM7u2Vvk&t=28s. Find more details and a comprehensive FAQ at https://usark.org/23lacey/. We will be updating this alert.
USARK Shirts and Hats are Available Online
Our shop is open at https://usark.org/shop/ (or just click the “Shop” link in the menu on our website). We currently have two shirts and three hats available for sale.
Find A Vet
Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.
