Background

On September 9, 2009, Defenders of Wildlife filed two petitions - one with the Department of the Interior and the other with the Department of Agriculture – urging them to take immediate action to regulate live amphibian imports in the pet, food, scientific and live bait trades so as to minimize the spread and impact of an amphibian pathogen known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, “Bd,” or "chytrid fungus."

For a copy of the petitions, see:

http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2009/09_09_2009_as_deadly_fungus_spreads,_defenders_seeks_stronger_protections_for_native_amphibians.php

In response to the petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is preparing a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) which will be published in the Federal Register and invite public comment - particularly with respect to regulating the importation and between state movement of non-native amphibians through the Lacey Act (http://www.fws.gov/le/pdffiles/lacey.pdf).


PIJAC recognizes the risks that Bd poses to both captive and wild amphibians worldwide. Over the last few years it has:

*Co-organized an international conference on Bd - http://www.parcplace.org/Bd_conference.html

*Launched the "Bd-free 'Phibs" campaign for amphibian hobbyists, zoos, and aquaria -
http://www.pijac.org/projects/project.asp?p=26

*Published an article on Bd and the campaign in Reptiles Magazine -
http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-magazines/reptiles-magazine/may-2008/under-fire.aspx

*Contributed to an article on Bd in PetAge Magazine - http://www.pijac.org/_documents/0509%20cover%20story.pdf

*Promoted the campaign in PIJAC's PetLetter - http://www.pijac.org/_documents/petletter_bdfreephibs.pdf

*Educated hobbyists and pet owners on the importance of rehoming, rather than releasing, unwanted pets through the Habitattitude campaign - http://www.pijac.org/projects/project.asp?p=27

Even though the NOI has not yet been released, PIJAC is strategically consulting with its Members and key partners on the most appropriate response. PIJAC has every intention of taking a position that is pro pets, pro responsible business, and pro environment.

Please use this blog - and the links to it - to learn more, and when the time comes...to take action.

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Frog photo in blog header - (c) Vincent Russo, Cutting Edge Herp Inc.