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ZSL London Zoo Marine Iguanas in the 1930s

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Bwassa, 27 Jun 2009.

  1. tetrapod

    tetrapod Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I was surprised to this as well. Wasn't aware that anybody was keeping them even illegally...
     
  2. zoogiraffe

    zoogiraffe Well-Known Member

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    There is more odd stuff being held illegally than you would think,and not just from the Galapagos!!!
     
  3. tetrapod

    tetrapod Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I don't doubt that for one second!!! Just that marine iguanas were supposed to be difficult to keep, let alone obtain. And Uganda too!

    Any species in particular that you had in mind? California condor? Javan rhino? Baiji?
     
  4. zoogiraffe

    zoogiraffe Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking more of a species from the Land of the Long White Cloud!
     
  5. temp

    temp Well-Known Member

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    Entirely true. However, I suspect keeping land/marine iguanas is legal in the UK and believe this is pretty much the same throughout Europe (except Norway with its no reptiles law). It would likely still cause you serious trouble. Based on how European law enforcement agencies have done this before they pretty much recognize that the species is legal to keep, but also that you need valid CITES papers to get it into the country. Provide those CITES export papers, as well as evidence that it passed through the proper channels (e.g. airport animal check), or you're in trouble. Earlier cases have mainly involved birds (e.g. macaws), but I suspect a high profile reptile like a marine iguana would elicit a serious response too. However, being a reasonably wealthy European in Uganda I don't think he has much to worry about.

    I stopped being surprised at what can show up in the trade when earless monitor lizards started appearing a few years ago.
     
  6. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Aotearoa to be more precise.
    (but for those not familiar with language: New Zealand)
     
  7. Norwegian moose

    Norwegian moose Well-Known Member

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    Norway and Iceland, as Iceland also has a pet herp ban.
     
  8. zoomaniac

    zoomaniac Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Which is - as we all know - very important because of the high risk that escaped tropical snakes and crocodiles could establish in this countries and may become pests... (irony off)
     
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  9. Batto

    Batto Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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  10. kiang

    kiang Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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  11. MoleRat

    MoleRat Active Member

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  12. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Via the illegal trade I would imagine; probably not directly, given they are unlikely to publicise having them were this the case, but perhaps via a customs seizure?
     
  13. Batto

    Batto Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    As well as Iguana delicatissima and several other interesting species; just don’t spoil everything.;)
     
  14. MoleRat

    MoleRat Active Member

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    Last edited: 1 Oct 2016
  15. stubeanz

    stubeanz Well-Known Member

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    i had a quick look through their Facebook posts and found that they are claiming to have got them as CB juveniles from Switzerland!? Even if the Swiss did breed them the original parents would be wild caught wouldn't they?
     
  16. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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    the marine iguana? It (or they) is clearly illegal, as is the delicatissima and probably a heap of other species there. In Japan it generally seems wildlife laws are meaningless.
     
  17. devilfish

    devilfish Well-Known Member

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    They no longer hold marine iguana, unfortunately. These have been moved to an unspecified collection.
     
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  18. FelipeDBKO

    FelipeDBKO Well-Known Member

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    Apparently ordinary green iguana food ornamented with seaweed and sprayed saltwater already covers the nutritional needs, the difficulty lies in convincing them to eat it. Brookfield Zoo itself was facing the same problem until Pawley decided to introduce a green iguana in the enclosure, which luckily stimulated the other iguanas to start eating as well 3 days later.