Madagascar Export Bans?

[ChameleonAlley]

Just yesterday I received the Chameleons of Madagascar DVD. What an awesome film! It was so cool to see the many different species of chameleons in their native habitats. Seeing the Parson's and Furcifer Minors on film, they're just amazing. It was also eye opening to see the way they were exported on the film, shoved into little bags stacked all over each other and shipped out. It looked really cruel. I guess my question is, are these types of export methods still practiced?

Also, I know that only a few species are still legal to export from Madagascar. Does anyone know why this is? Is it because their is just an abundance of panthers and carpets compared to species like minors and parsons? Is it because they are on the verge of extinction?

 

[pssh]

I know that quite a few species were exported in the past in such numbers that their populations started to dwindle so they became illegal to export. Parsons used to be 50 dollars each. Panthers are also very good/quick breeders so the populations don't suffer too much from it. I'm not too educated on the subject, but this is what I've gathered from other similar topics/members.

Putting chameleons in a sack is one of the recommended ways to keep stress low as they just fall asleep in it, but I don't know if it would bother them to have many chameleons on top of them.

 

[Kent67]

In a nutshell, when all those species were coming out there was no annual quota for the number of each species. Because many of them are rare, specialized, localized, etc. the export of them was suspended, not banned, by CITES. This suspension could be lifted if population studies were completed that showed certain species would not be negatively impacted by exportation of a small quota each year. Panthers, carpets, spinys, and Oustalet's are the most widespread on the island, breed prolifically, and for the most part adapt well to disturbed habitat, living in gardens, parks, agricultural fields, etc. and so a quota of 2,000 specimens of each of those 4 species is allowed out per year.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Wow, 2000 is a much lower number than I would have guessed. Do you happen to know if they still practice the export method of putting them in bags piled upon each other? Has cites stepped in to regulate how they are shipped? The video footage looks very unethical.

 

[Carlton]

CITES does not really regulate the treatment of exported/imported wildlife, just which species may be traded, under what agreements the trades may occur (with permits, without permits, exported for zoos, recovery or research only, etc), which nations have agreed to uphold the restrictions, and how many of each species included in the treaty. The species to be covered is negotiated every few years at international management meetings. If you want to know more about CITES and how it works, there are US Fish and Wildlife Service websites that have what you want to know. Search for Convention on International Trade in Threatened and Endangered Species or US Fish and Wildlife international topics.

Here's a link:

http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA_DSA/CITES/CITES_home.html

 

[Brad]

There is some related info here:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/index.php?page=conservation_mg

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Hey thanks for this. I'll read up and check it out.

 

[rocknrolla25]

Can I export my chameleon out of the USA to my native country.?

Hi everybody I am really new in this subject and I really would like to know if I can take my chameleon to my native country I am from Ecuador and have a diplomatic visa for 1 1/2 years and I'd really like to take my veiled chameleon to my country when I go back.
I hope anybody can jelp me.. thanks!

 

[Carlton]

You'll have to find out what type of permit you would need to take your species OUT of the USA and what type of permit you would need to bring this species INTO your home country. First check to see if it is listed on any of the CITES appendices (these lists define what types of transport or trade is permitted for each species). Check with your consulate. They may be able to steer you in the right direction or find out what you'll need. There must be some guidance about citizens travelling with an exotic pet on a diplomatic passport. If you have any documentation showing that your veiled was domestically produced (itemized receipt from the breeder) you'll probably need that regardless.