Pyxis exports from Madagascar: some facts (long)

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Posted by Olaf Pronk / Centre Soafiavy on June 30, 2000 at 01:23:05:

As a licensed exporter of wildlife in Madagascar, I am unhappy with the recent levels of export of Pyxis arachnoides and Pyxis planicauda too. Until last year, very limited quantities of both species were exported and in the meanwhile, captive breeding groups were set up at our facilities in Madagascar. These captive breeding groups have started producing small numbers of offspring. My unhappiness has mostly commercial grounds as I rather sell few animals for a lot than many animals for nearly nothing. Furthermore, I believe Pyxis are not tortoises that should be kept by inexperienced keepers.

Early this year, the Madagascar CITES Management Authority has notified the CITES Secretariat that the quota for the year 2000 were to be 25 heads per species. These quota were published on the official CITES web site:

http://www2.wcmc.org.uk/CITES/eng/index.shtml
click database
click quota
click the Word icon at Madagascar

I heard recently that the Madagascar Management Authority has later informed the CITES Secretariat that the notification for quota of 25 heads per species were a mistake and that the actual quota should read 1800 heads Pyxis arachnoides and 1600 heads Pyxis planicauda .for 2000 and 2001 combined, followed by
a ban on exports of wild collected Pyxis in 2002. In 2002, only captive bred Pyxis may be legally exported.

So far this year, approximately 600 Pyxis arachnoides and 600 Pyxis planicauda have been exported, not 5000 as somebody stated on this forum.

I exported most of my stock set up for captive breeding when I learned about the massive exports of some of my collegues, only retaining smaller breeding groups that will hopefully continue producing for the European and Japanese market. In Europe, only truly captive bred Pyxis are allowed for import and in Japan, high quality captive bred specimens are valued much higher than wild collected animals of often very dubious quality. Furthermore, the Japanese do not have the infamous 4 inch regulation that practically makes legal commercial imports of captive bred Pyxis into the USA impossible. Even an adult Pyxis arachnoides brygooi male barely reaches 4 inch�..

I am personally convinced that Pyxis arachnoides and Pyxis planicauda are not critically endangered but vulnerable, even at the current level of exploitation. In no way should their status be compared to that of critically endangered species like Geochelone yniphora, Psammobates geometricus or possibly Geochelone platynota.

Olaf Pronk
Centre Soafiavy & Soafiavy Export
Antananarivo
Madagascar

Follow Ups:

Re: Pyxis exports from Madagascar: some facts (long) A long time observer of Olaf Pronk speaks out. 07/02/00 (4)
- I agree with u! Mr.Pronk,a greedy man?? Another long time observer 07/02/00 (3)
  - observation skills? Olaf Pronk / Centre soafiavy 07/02/00 (2)
    - Re: observation skills? Long time observer of Olaf Pronk 07/07/00 (1)
      - Re: observation skills? EJ 07/07/00 (0)
A challenge to you Mr. Prank, some husbandry guidelines please Bob 06/30/00 (9)
- husbandry guidelines (long) Olaf Pronk / Centre soafiavy 06/30/00 (1)
  - A class move Mr. Prank! Well done! Bob 06/30/00 (0)
- Re: A challenge to you Mr. Prank, some husbandry guidelines please Whatever 06/30/00 (6)
  - Re: The law of supply and demand...long Logic in Action 06/30/00 (5)
    - Re: The law of supply and demand...long money 06/30/00 (0)
    - Re: The law of supply and demand...long Olaf Pronk / Centre soafiavy 06/30/00 (3)
      - Re: The law of supply and demand...long Logic in Action 06/30/00 (2)
        
        Re: The law of supply and demand...long Olaf Pronk / Centre Soafiavy 06/30/00 (1)
        
        sorry, typo olaf pronk / Centre Soafiavy 07/01/00 (0)

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: As a licensed exporter of wildlife in Madagascar, I am unhappy with the recent levels of export of Pyxis arachnoides and Pyxis planicauda too. Until last year, very limited quantities of both species were exported and in the meanwhile, captive breeding groups were set up at our facilities in Madagascar. These captive breeding groups have started producing small numbers of offspring. My unhappiness has mostly commercial grounds as I rather sell few animals for a lot than many animals for nearly nothing. Furthermore, I believe Pyxis are not tortoises that should be kept by inexperienced keepers. : Early this year, the Madagascar CITES Management Authority has notified the CITES Secretariat that the quota for the year 2000 were to be 25 heads per species. These quota were published on the official CITES web site: : http://www2.wcmc.org.uk/CITES/eng/index.shtml : click database : click quota : click the Word icon at Madagascar : I heard recently that the Madagascar Management Authority has later informed the CITES Secretariat that the notification for quota of 25 heads per species were a mistake and that the actual quota should read 1800 heads Pyxis arachnoides and 1600 heads Pyxis planicauda .for 2000 and 2001 combined, followed by : a ban on exports of wild collected Pyxis in 2002. In 2002, only captive bred Pyxis may be legally exported. : So far this year, approximately 600 Pyxis arachnoides and 600 Pyxis planicauda have been exported, not 5000 as somebody stated on this forum. : I exported most of my stock set up for captive breeding when I learned about the massive exports of some of my collegues, only retaining smaller breeding groups that will hopefully continue producing for the European and Japanese market. In Europe, only truly captive bred Pyxis are allowed for import and in Japan, high quality captive bred specimens are valued much higher than wild collected animals of often very dubious quality. Furthermore, the Japanese do not have the infamous 4 inch regulation that practically makes legal commercial imports of captive bred Pyxis into the USA impossible. Even an adult Pyxis arachnoides brygooi male barely reaches 4 inch�.. : I am personally convinced that Pyxis arachnoides and Pyxis planicauda are not critically endangered but vulnerable, even at the current level of exploitation. In no way should their status be compared to that of critically endangered species like Geochelone yniphora, Psammobates geometricus or possibly Geochelone platynota. : Olaf Pronk : Centre Soafiavy & Soafiavy Export : Antananarivo : Madagascar

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