On the Trail - Robin des Bois

forest and the expulsion of the indigenous peoples
who live there.
Seizure of 17 dead pig-nosed turtles (Carettochelys
insculpta, Appendix II), 2 dead reticulated
pythons (Python reticulatus, Appendix II), a
yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus, Appendix
II), a hawksbill turtle’s shell (Eretmochelys imbricata,
Appendix I) and 37 live animals including 4
adult alligators
Campbellton, Province of New Brunswick, Canada
August 5, 2013
After the tragic death during the night of the 4 th to
the 5 th of august 2013 of 2 children who were sleeping
in the apartment just above the Reptiles Ocean
pet shop searches were carried out inside the store.
An administrative verification revealed that the licences
had expired in April 2000 and March 2001
and the pet shop was therefore illegal. According
to investigations, the 2 small victims were strangled
by an African Rock Python measuring 4 meters
long and weighing 45kg. He had escaped from
the vivarium by a ventilation trap and accessed the
first floor through the air pipes. This tragedy that
was felt worldwide triggered in Canada a series of
verification of rules regarding exotic pets and their
enforcement. In New Brunswick, the Exotic Wildlife
Regulation forbids owning African Rock Python
with only exceptions made for accredited zoos.
Seizure of 31 animals including a cascabel rattlesnake
(Crotalus durissus spp. terrificus, Appendix
III in Honduras), 14 boa constrictors (Boa
constrictor, Appendix II), 8 iguanas (Iguanidae
family, species unspecified) and 2 veiled chameleons
(Chamaeleo calyptratus, Appendix II)
Cali, Department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia
District of Buenaventura, Department of Valle
del Cauca, Colombia
14 August 2013
A cascabel rattlesnake was found in the district of
Buenaventura. He measured 10 cm in length. This
sub-species is not present in Colombia. It is present
in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. His
captor, a local charlatan, displayed him in the town
centre. The other animals were seized in a pet shop
in the town of Cali. They were entrusted to the town
zoo. The veiled chameleons are natives of Yemen
and Saudi Arabia.
One year and a half prison sentence for reptiles
trafficking between the United States and
Canada with more than 18,000 specimens involved
Syracuse, State of New York, United States
August 23, 2013
Mrs. Terrance trade worked well. Canadian demand
was sustained, supply from the United States was
too. At least 17 clandestine trips allowed the young
American trader to introduce in Canada species
which were not at all local like helmeted chameleons
(Trioceros hoehnelii, Appendix II), American
alligators (Alligator mississippiensis, Appendix II),
green iguanas (Iguana iguana, Appendix II) and
tree spotted monitors (Varanus timorensis, Appendix
II). The last trip ended badly when, after a
chase by helicopter, her boat was intercepted on
the St. Lawrence River with a freight of protected
and clandestine animals. It was in August 2012.
His Canadian accomplice established in Ontario
is indicted in the US as well as in Canda, but not
yet sentenced. The investigation was conducted
jointly by the US, Canadian and Mohawk Wildlife
and Police departments.
Seizure of 670 animals including green iguanas
(Iguana iguana, Appendix II)
State of Colima, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco,
Michoacán, Morelos, Puebla, Querétaro, Tlaxcala
and State of Mexico, Mexico
August 27 to 31, 2013
Between the 27th and 31st of August, inspectors
of the Profepa inspected market places, shops,
surveyed areas where animals are poached and
set up road blocks. 562 plants and 670 animals
including green iguanas were seized over the
course of this first regional operation for which a
dozen States of Mexico cooperated. Hundreds of
officers participated in this operation.
Seizure of 7 kg of python meat (genus Python)
and monitor lizard meat (genus Varanus)
Gudalur, State of Tamil Nadu, India
September 22, 2013
In the beginning they were wrongly suspected
of belonging to armed Communist groups, referred
to as Naxalites. The gang of 5 were wandering
across a tea plantation. Python meat is sold at a
very high price, «it gives you strength and virility».
On site, the poachers made do with eating a monitor
lizard.
Veiled chameleons © John Sullivan
© The New Indian Express
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On The Trail # 2. Robin des Bois