Photo of Cuban Rock Iguana (Cyclura nubila) by Travis deLagerheim @travisaurusrex60  HB1033 seeks to expand the ban on Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) to include all Iguana species (assumedly all genera of the family Iguanidae: Amblyrhynchus, Brachylophus, Cachryx, Conolophus, Ctenosaura, Cyclura, Dipsosaurus, Iguana, and Sauromalus.) This would mean that rock iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, rhinoceros iguanas, chuckwallas, and all other Iguanids would become Prohibited Species. It does this by changing statute from reading “Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)” to just “Iguana.”  Florida is th ..read more

USARK FL FILES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN LAWSUIT AGAINST FWC ON BEHALF OF REPTILE KEEPERS   Above: Various captive color morphs of Green Iguana, a common pet species banned in 2021 by FWC’s “Prohibited Species” rules (Photo by Travis deLagerheim, who has granted permission for his photo to be reprinted for release) The United States Association of Reptile Keepers Florida (USARK FL) has filed a Motion for Summary Judgment in their lawsuit against the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in case number 2021-CA-977 in Leon County Circuit Court.&nb ..read more

Captive Breeding of Diamondback Terrapins to be discussed at FWC Meeting in Panama City Today Nov 30. Proposal for captive breeding supported by conservation groups and scientists   Above: Captive bred Diamondback Terrapins hatching (Photo by Ed Komara Jr.) The Diamondback terrapin is a unique species of turtle that inhabits Florida’s salt marshes and mangrove swamps. Due to their beauty and personable nature, people all over the world like to keep terrapins as pets. The high demand for terrapins in Asia, especially China, has driven illegal wild collection to dangerous and potentially u ..read more

Florida Reptile Keepers to Demand Change at FWC Commission Meeting in Miami in Wake of FWC Pet Massacre Above: FWC Officer Lex Corteguera poses with “Sweetie” the Burmese python before throwing her in a trash can. (Photo still from FWC Body Camera Video)   In the wake of the “Holy Thursday Massacre” on April 6 a now world famous event in which Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Law Enforcement Officers unnecessarily and inhumanely slaughtered over 30 pet snakes in Broward County, Florida, reptile keepers are expected to demand a change in the direction of the agency at ..read more

Reptile Enthusiasts and Environmental Advocates to Crash FWC Day at the Capitol Though FWC has not put out a press release on the event, this flyer was seen on a bulletin board in the Florida Capitol Building   In the wake of the “Holy Thursday Massacre” on April 6, 2023, a date on which FWC officers killed around three dozen pet snakes including a pregnant Boa constrictor, FWC has quietly announced “FWC Day” at the Capitol for May 2, 2023. The FWC snake slaughter has garnered worldwide media attention and the outrage of animal keepers the world over. Reptile enthusiasts and environmenta ..read more

Pet Slaughtered by FWC Officers, Necropsy Reveals Unborn Babies (WARNING: Graphic images!) The value of offspring contained by this pet, a legally owned animal, may have been over $100,000 if they had not been killed by FWC. A pregnant pet named Big Shirl was inhumanely and unnecessarily slaughtered by Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Law Enforcement Officers on April 6. Big Shirl was raised from birth for over ten years by Bill McAdam. This butchery was part of an event which has become known as the “Holy Thursday Massacre” and it happened at Bill McAdam’s animal facility in Su ..read more

Gopher Tortoise Rescued by Woman Who Now Fears Repercussions from FWC-PRESS RELEASE_7-23-22.pdf    Woman Rescues Gopher Tortoise Trapped in Collapsed Burrow, Fears Repercussions from FWC after Reporting   The Gopher tortoise is a Threatened Species at the forefront of the conflict between developers and advocates for Florida’s wildlife and environment-Photo by Daniel Parker  Auburndale—Information on a group of Threatened Gopher tortoises submitted months earlier to FWC could have prevented the collapsing of burrows by contractors, according to animal advocate Jordan Spring ..read more

FWC Officers Slaughter Pet Boa and 34 other Snakes on Holy Thursday USARK Florida Calls on Governor DeSantis to ask for resignation of FWC leaders and the immediate end to forced euthanasia of captive animals by FWC  Above: An FWC officer smiles as he surveys the scene after the killing of 34 pythons and a pregnant pet boa by FWC officers (Photo by Chris Coffee, who has granted permission for this photo to be published and disseminated) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Law Enforcement Officers showed up at a reptile facility in Sunrise and slaughtered 34 pytho ..read more

Venomous Reptiles Bill Amended to Exclude Native Species Conservation advocates had expressed concern over far-reaching impacts, believe additional action still necessary Above: This juvenile Florida Cottonmouth was captured, tagged, and released as part of a UCF research project. (Photo by Daniel Parker) Animal welfare advocates, scientists, nuisance wildlife trappers, and snake enthusiasts are pleased with an amendment that exempts native venomous snake species from the Venomous Reptiles bill moving through the Florida legislature. The original language of the bill would have made it a ..read more

Petition asking DeSantis to Reign in FWC Reaches 15,000   https://www.change.org/p/fwc-mandates-threaten-pet-owners-and-small-business-fl-animal-owners-ask-gov-to-intervene   A Change.org petition asking Governor Ron DeSantis to address stakeholder complaints and reign in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has received 15,000 signatures since it was posted by “Florida Animal Owners and Businesses.” The petition has garnered widespread support from keepers of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and invertebrates. See the text of the petition below: *I ..read more