Bryan Christy

Here’s the tragic video that is rocking the reptile-keeping world.

(Here’s the news story). The snake appears to be an adolescent albino Burmese python, about the size most people who keep them want to see.  There have been very few deaths from pet pythons or boas in the United States, but this episode underscores the shameful lack of responsibility leaders in the reptile industry have shown by making Burmese and reticulated pythons cornerstones of the reptile trade, selling hundreds of thousands to teenagers every year.  There has recently been some outrageous state and federal legislation floating around to eliminate keeping exotic pets.  That legislation overshoots its mark in many respects but its genesis can be traced to many in the reptile industry–big and small.  Many sell reptiles totally inappropriate to the average keeper (giant pythons, monitor lizards, alligators) and some prominent dealers regularly import from known wildlife smugglers–exporters who also traffic some of the world’s rarest plants, birds and mammals. 

It might not have been possible to avoid this terrible death, but it would certainly have been possible to avoid the Everglades python story, the Cape Coral Nile Monitor story, and others that seem destined to doom reptile keeping.  Leaders in the industry need to stand up and take on self-regulation with teeth. If they don’t, someone with no love at all for reptiles is bound to take over.

Here’s a pic from my June 8 appearance at the National Conservation Training Center for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the men and women on the front lines for wildlife.  

It’s worth noting that this photo represents roughly half of the entire U.S. wildlife inspector force policing our ports and borders, from Alaska to Florida.  While researching The Lizard King I asked how many USFWS special agents we had in the U.S., and how many wildlife inspectors.  The first time I heard the answer I thought I was being given the figures for Florida or New York instead of for the whole country.  Answers:  approx. 185 USFWS special agents and 120 inspectors to cover all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and overseas postings.

I am very pleased to announce that I’ve been invited to speak as part of the Justice Department’s Environment & Natural Resources Division’s Centennial Speakers Series.  I will be speaking June 18 in DOJ’s Great Hall.  This is an invitation only event and a great honor.  You can read about ENRD’s history and the 100 Year Anniversary here.