Media Statements - Minister releases draft regulations on keeping reptiles and frogs.

21/12/00

People interested in reptiles and frogs can now have their say on a proposal to let such animals be kept as pets.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today released a set of draft regulations that might apply in the event people were allowed to keep the animals as pets.

She emphasised that the draft regulations were being released for public comment and that only people currently licensed for research could hold private collections of lizards, snakes, freshwater turtles and frogs.

The draft regulations provide a framework for a licensing system that would allow native reptiles and amphibians to be kept as pets. The draft regulations also cover issues such as breeding, selling, trading, capturing, importing and exporting.

Mrs Edwardes said because native reptiles and amphibians needed special care and facilities when held in captivity, the draft regulations outlined a range of licence categories.

These categories also proposed the species that could be kept under a particular licence.

“While one category proposed in the regulations will be ‘exempt from licensing’, it is proposed that this category will not be used until it has been demonstrated that keeping the most common species without licences is appropriate for the animals involved and does not pose any conservation risks,” she said.

Licences will vary in line with an applicant’s experience in handling and caring for reptiles. In some instances, such as the keeping of venomous snakes, applicants will need to hold a lower category licence for several years or have similar experience. They also will have to satisfy conditions in relation to security, and allow their keeping facilities to be inspected before a licence is issued.

The proposals do not cover crocodiles or marine turtles, which will not be considered for private pet keeping.

The draft regulations also propose amendments to current arrangements for caring for sick or injured reptiles.

Copies of the proposals are available from CALM’s Wildlife Branch on 9334 0455 or can be downloaded from CALM’s website at http://www.naturebase.net

Submissions should be sent to the Executive Director, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 and marked to the attention of the Manager, Wildlife Branch. Submissions close on February 28, 2001.

Media contacts:
Steve Manchee (Minister) on 9421 7777;
Gordon Wyre (CALM) on 9442 0302