right guys someone pointed out this to me today, and it got me wondering what the general opinion on it is. Now its not the usual WC debate he puts up some interesting ideas.

Do you think he is just saying it trying to justify his actions or do you think its a valid point?

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so no one can be bothered to read it all? it is quite a long article basically to shorten it for you, what it says is;

He justifies WC specimens by saying it brings a much needed source of income to local tribes and people, that without this income they would be chopping down trees and doing other things that harm the habitat more than collecting animals, it does go into more detail obviously but thats just a brief over veiw.

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I'll read it all later and give my views, need to eat and stuff first, have skim read it and he has some valid and some not so valid points....more later.

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i agree with him 110%! mostly what i've been saying all along. i've gotten into a few shameful arguments over this very subject. not that the people i've been in arguements with are bad people. not at all. i respect their passion and concern. i just think they are wrong. i never did care for the moral police much. but this guy is completely right. no one has to agree with him but they should at least consider his case.

when you WC, how can you be sure of the age of an animal?

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ANDY B 1

Taken the place of Tops in his absence
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What ive got0.1.0 '07 Amel corn snake2.1.0 Hermanns Tortoises2.3.0 Cats0.2.0 Guinea pigs

it must be really hard once they are mature, like with tarantulas you could be buying a spider thats 20 years old

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you can't be exact on age with most things but you can get an idea fron the size and condition. like my newest emerald is just over six feet. i figure she's 7-8 years old give or take. that's a downside though.

I aint read it.. but... It certainly does bring much needed income for local people in poor parts of the world, but it still has to be managed or it can become a free for all where animals are over farmed and breeding and habitats are disrupted. It definately isnt (IMO) a good reason on its own to condone WC.

I was watching a program covering this subject in the marine fish (and related) industry, where most species are WC directly from the reefs. The locals in some parts have now been educated to ensure that breeding stocks and habitat in the wild are maintained with certain areas out of bounds. The animals in these areas actualy increased to greater numbers with the same (or similar) amount taken as before for sale to the pet trade. Basicly the animals in these areas florished and the locals were able to earn a living.

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My Reptiles:11 Royal Pythons1 Bearded Dragon1 GTP1 JCP1 BCIWANTED:Green Cat Eye Snake

That is a valid point, and however the main thing that feeds the trade is greed.

Although without the WC trade, alot of pythons would be sold for handbags and shoes, alot of Others stuffed, skinned or mounted.

As in my sig, Would i rather be an handbag, or a captive?

(my retic is CB btw)

And the majority of captive animals are alot better off.

They have traded their freedom for saftey, lack of competition, warmth, free food, fresh water. Granted they dont have a choice, but if i had a choice to get my every need catered for, and be entertained adiquiately, or be wild and have to hunt, fight and suffer i know which i would prefer.

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dan, you never write anymore! but reguarding the topic, harvesting must be done responsibly. the hobby hasn't evolved to the point where there is no need for all wild caughts. but with all this breeding, that day will come. why are basin emeralds costing $3-4 thousand dollars while northerns can be aquired for $2-3 hundered? i did luck out and got a cb gtp for $200, so things are getting there. people need to breed the rarer stuff. i'll be doing my part and hope to get some basins someday. i just don't have 10 large laying around.