FIRSTLY, our apologies for not having updated the website for so long. This was caused by a fairly major computer problem (hard disk failure) which led in turn to a comedy of errors as we experimented with a couple of operating systems, played around with compatible hardware and drivers, etc. We're now back up and running, but obviously a great deal of time has been lost in the process.
There is good news to report in the interim. Whilst animal rights groups (notably Animal Aid and CAPS, with some undercover help from certain RSPCA bigwigs - shame on them) made reptile shows in the past couple of years a very endangered species, this year no less than three have already taken place between September and now. As usual Animal Aid were vociferous in their opposition, but this time the herpetological hobby has got the better of the legal arguments. It might be argued that AA in any event overreached themselves, with their hysterical threats of widespread salmonella poisoning for weeks to come and their baseless and possibly slanderous charge that the International Herpetological Society was virtually a front cover for "dealers" dealing in illegal wildlife. They also claim to be working with the Inland Revenue to be investigating said "dealers", but like most of Animal Aid's claims, this is best taken with a large shovelful of salt. Visit the Reptilian website for more details of the whole story.
The RSPCA has also courted controversy recently with the appointment of former social worker and Liberal Democrat MP Jacqui Ballard. The electoral process itself was what caused the spotlight to fall on the organisation, as it seems there was more heat than light generated until Ms Ballard's appointment. This comes at a difficult time for the RSPCA, who recently announced heavy losses due to the stock market (which has of course affected many bodies, both charitable and non-charitable) and hence job cuts. Unlike some herpetologists, I don't wish the RSPCA ill, and I hope they can recover to do the good work of animal welfare, rehoming and prosecuting clear-cut cases of cruelty. However, if they follow a more extreme animal rights course, as has been suggested by some (partly in an attempt to divert support from other animal rights groups such as Animal Aid), then it becomes impossible to support them, particularly when their recent pronunciations on "exotics" (by which they seem to mean chiefly reptiles) have been so politicised or simply downright ignorant.
Having said that, those who deal with animals as keepers or vendors need to be careful that they are not bringing the keeping of animals into disrepute. The Consumers' Association recently sent vets to 42 pet shops in the UK and the results were not promising. Three were apparently so bad that they were reported to the RSPCA and local councils, although the owners of the shops deny any malpractice. Another seven were advised to make big changes if they wanted to have their licenses renewed, while in 24 of the 42 the staff were found to be inadequately knowledgeable about the animals they were selling. While I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the vets' reporting (some vets are known to be against the keeping of exotics), such reports must sound alarm bells for anybody who cares about animals. Melissa Kaplan's site has some useful suggestions on pet shop activism for dealing with the worst cases where animals are obviously simply turnover for the owners. I personally have visited some good shops where staff were knowledgeable (usually because they were enthusiasts themselves), but I have also seen cases that gave me cause for concern. Remember, this applies across the board to all animals, not just reptiles, herps or invertebrates. The answer is not to close down pet shops, as some animal rights advocates would like, but more care and concern. The authorities have the power to shut down the worst offenders in any case. And if you find a good pet shop, give it your support - they deserve it.
Our big new addition this month is a section on the Teiidae, a New World family of lizards that contains the well-known tegus, plus the caiman lizards, whiptails and racerunners. There is little in print on most of these lizards, which have been neglected for far too long. We will be following this up with their sister group, the Gymnopthalmidae (until recently considered a subfamily of the Teiidae), and the Anguidae (slowworms, glass- and alligator lizards and the Scheltopusik). After that we will be doing a broad overview of the chelonian families, which have been rather overshadowed by lizards, snakes and salamanders on these pages so far. Work will also continue on the skinks and lacertids, and hopefully on some amphibians as well.
A special appeal: if you sent us an E-mail during the last two years, please drop us a line again if you want to keep in touch. Along with our hard drive we lost virtually all of our E-mail, so it would be good to hear from you again.
CYBERLIZARD
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