A VIEW OF THE IHS SYMPOSIUM - slight rant

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: As a reptile keeper and breeder for many years, I looked : forward to attending the IHS Symposium in San Antonio : a few years ago. It had been about five years since I'd : been to an IHS meeting and so I looked forward to attending : this one that was relatively near where I lived. : I will tell you unequivocally that this was one of my : worst experiences as a reptile breeder. The IHS and most : of its speakers and supporters are anti-captive breeding by : private hobbyists. I do not make this statement lightly. : You will find that the IHS is made up of a lot of zoos, : researchers, and conservationists who are against captive : breeding by private keepers. : Some famous lines I overheard or was slapped in the face : with at this IHS include: : -captive breeders are packaging a product for the pet : trade . . . they ought to just seal them in plastic : and put them on the shelf . . . DICK Ross (The same guy : who wrote the book teaching herpers how to breed pythons : and boas!!) : -private individuals should not be allowed to keep reptiles : - it should be left up to zoos. Otherwise, it will some day : screw up the gene pool when we go to search for more : breeders for our programs (at the zoos). . . : Rather than bring herpers across the country and world : together, I strongly feel that the IHS helps to keep a : wedge between the captive breeders, zoos, and the researchers. : Think of what could happen in the U.S. if private : breeders and zoos worked together. Why don't they? : Realistically ask yourself - Why don't privates and : zoos work together? If our goals are really to save : species, enhance genetic diversity, and really enjoy : our relationships with our animals, why won't zoos : cooperate with us? : The goal of my organization and of so many others now is : to focus on captive breeding. Not necessarily for commercial : reasons, but out of a genuine love of the animals and : the thrill of seeing new babies arriving. We are bombarded : with words like "endangered, threatened, and critical", : but the rift grows larger and cooperative ventures are : few. : You will hear some excellent talks at the IHS and you : will find a small group of the best captive breeders in the U.S. : there - but, don't have the misconception that you will : find support for your work with captive breeding. In : fact, you may come away feeling bitter and angry at the : arrogance and ignorance of well-known individuals and : institutions. : Russ Gurley : Oklahoma City

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