Tiliqua gigas are becoming protected?

[Dakota]

My friend in Malaysia told me yesterday that they are trying to protect/stop the export of the Indo and PNG BTS (Merauke, Irian Jaya, Kei Island, Tanimbar, and Indonesian) like.. right now. Anyone heard of this? Anything on the internet about it? How would I go about finding out?

Thanks

ETA: Tiliqua gigas ssp., and one Tiliqua scincoides ssp.

[Richard.C]

Wouldnt your malaysian friend know?

[donkeybuff]

Well, other countries have stopped exportations of certain animals, so Indonesia could do it too...

[Dakota]

I think she heard from a friend. I would like a credible source.

[Ophidiophile]

My friend in Malaysia told me yesterday that they are trying to protect/stop the export of the Indo and PNG BTS (Merauke, Irian Jaya, Kei Island, Tanimbar, and Indonesian) like.. right now.

PNG has already been closed to exports for over 3 decades.

I could be wrong but given Indonesia's predilection for making money off of its wildlife, I really doubt that they will be totally stopping exports of BTS any time soon. They may however do with them as they do for a number of animals which is to restrict exports to a certain limited quota of animals per year. Another strategy they've employed for some species like green tree pythons and green tree monitors is to only allow captive-born (i.e., "farmed") animals out but this is not always enforced and there's some corruption in the system as well.

[donkeybuff]

If this does happen, captive breeding of gigas will finally be encouraged.

Also, every gigas keeper's collection will rise in value, which I'm sure people like Austin and Ray with about 1,000 skinks each would enjoy very much

[Dakota]

Interesting. I will ask her how she got this information tomorrow.

I'm excited if this does happen, but also kindly bummed. I hope they just restrict it.. instead of cutting it off completely.

[critterguy]

I'm confused then how do we see so many PNG species...unless they are transhipped to Indonesian exporters but that is still export.

[Ophidiophile]

I'm confused then how do we see so many PNG species...unless they are transhipped to Indonesian exporters but that is still export.

What species are you referring to? In my experience, we see very few PNG species. The ones that make it to the US do so the same way Australian species get here.

[mark_w]

My friend in Malaysia told me yesterday that they are trying to protect/stop the export of the Indo and PNG BTS (Merauke, Irian Jaya, Kei Island, Tanimbar, and Indonesian) like.. right now.

PNG has already been closed to exports for over 3 decades.

I could be wrong but given Indonesia's predilection for making money off of its wildlife, I really doubt that they will be totally stopping exports of BTS any time soon. They may however do with them as they do for a number of animals which is to restrict exports to a certain limited quota of animals per year. Another strategy they've employed for some species like green tree pythons and green tree monitors is to only allow captive-born (i.e., "farmed") animals out but this is not always enforced and there's some corruption in the system as well.

Believe it or not, it is already illegal to export WC blue tongues from Indonesia. Only captive bred or 'farmed' animals are legally exported.

[Ophidiophile]

Believe it or not, it is already illegal to export WC blue tongues from Indonesia. Only captive bred or 'farmed' animals are legally exported.

Not.

[kl]

I doubt Indonesia would look to shut down the trade in BT's as I've never heard that they are rare there. If it were true then we better ramp up the breeding efforts on Indonesian BT's as few are actually being bred as compared to Northerns.

KL

[Dakota]

Well, Meraukes and Irian Jayas range of living is like 95% in PNG (according to the bluey bible).. Mark O' Shea has a lot of pictures of them in South Eastern PNG.

[Ophidiophile]

Well, Meraukes and Irian Jayas range of living is like 95% in PNG (according to the bluey bible).. Mark O' Shea has a lot of pictures of them in South Eastern PNG.

Right and that's a good thing -- hopefully they'll remain abundant on the PNG side where they are not harvested like they are on the West Papua (which is what Irian Jaya is called now) side!

[Dakota]

Believe it or not, it is already illegal to export WC blue tongues from Indonesia. Only captive bred or 'farmed' animals are legally exported.

Not.

Are you sure? I think Mark be on to something. After talking more into detail about it, she said that they are not allowed to be taken from the wild, but rather only farmed. You are allowed to take in wild adults, just not exporting them (I think). She said this has been in effect for 2 years now.

[mark_w]

Believe it or not, it is already illegal to export WC blue tongues from Indonesia. Only captive bred or 'farmed' animals are legally exported.

Not.

Are you sure? I think Mark be on to something. After talking more into detail about it, she said that they are not allowed to be taken from the wild, but rather only farmed. You are allowed to take in wild adults, just not exporting them (I think). She said this has been in effect for 2 years now.

I don't just make this stuff up you know!!!

Mark.

[Ophidiophile]

I just checked with my supplier and T. gigas are currently a protected species in Indonesia. This means they both have a quota on number of them for export and are required to be 'farmed'. I think we all know how tightly this is enforced though...

I can be contrite when required LOL - sorry Mark! I'll have to buy you a beer when in the UK next week (though I have no idea where Buxton is)!

[Dakota]

How interesting! Thanks for confirming David.

[Richard.C]

Farmed,lol

Indonesia must be one big farm

[Dakota]

Not sure how many BTS are here, but here is a 2001 album of Bushmaster's farming facility Richard.

http://bushmasterreptiles.com/facility/index.htm