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2007 Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day - Clearwater

Kids with a Burmese Python

Tilapia

Blue Tilapia

Summary


Youngster with a Burmese Python	Spectacled Caiman

Crest Lake Park

The second Exotic Pet Amnesty Event was held March 24, 2007, in Clearwater. FWC was the lead agency, with Pinellas County Animal Services as our partner and the City of Clearwater as a cooperator. Exhibitors participating in the event were ociety, Suncoast Herpetological Society, West Pasco Exotic Bird Club, Central Florida Herpetological Society, Tampa Bay Aquarium Society, University of Florida/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, USDA Wildlife Research Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dr. Janine Cianciolo provided animal health services for all surrenders and Dr. Peter Helmer performed a pit-tagging demonstration, microchipping 6 Reptiles of Concern (4 Burmese pythons, 1 reticulated python and 1 Nile monitor) owned by exhibitors at the event. Educational live animal shows were given by Lowry Park Zoo and Crocodile Encounters.

Approximately 300-400 people attended the event, and 50 unwanted exotic pets were surrendered on site. These surrenders included 4 fish, 3 frogs, 6 lizards, 21 snakes and 15 turtles. No birds were received. All surrenders were placed with adopters onsite, and all adopters passed a background check performed by FWC law enforcement. Additionally, 5 animals have been surrendered post-event, and are currently in the process of being placed with adopters.


Dr. Cianciolo inspects a surrendered ball python	Dr. Helmer microchips a Nile monitor	Albino Reticulated Python

A surrendered iguana	Croc Encounters Show	Scarlet Macaw

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