henward Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 i think this is good for us hobbyist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 you read my mind, not sure why other post locked. could be good but im not sure if its a good thing or not tbh...interested to see what others think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I would say it is locked so people contact the person directly, she is presumably not a member here, so replying here and thinking she will read it is pointless. I would say info coming out of the study would definitely benefit the hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I think its a good thing. Especially as its independant from MAF and DOC, and she has her own reptiles so knows the issues around difficulties with importation etc. The more knowledge gained the better I say Also its confidential and any reptiles discovered with any disease wont be 'reported' or 'removed' or anything, just be part of the confidential study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 where did you get the information that "she has her own reptiles"? we had scores of redears and unhatched eggs etc tested fro salmonella a few years back and all come negative.Just another person to know whos got what and where.I could see the benefits of this study to the hobby in general but doubt if it will ever translate in terms of new species or more bloodlines for importation.This sounds like the same chick that I agreed to let test my animals but never ever heard back from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 agreed to take part 2 weeks ago waiting for the visit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 where did you get the information that "she has her own reptiles"? quote] Cos I emailed her and asked about outcomes if reptile was found diseased... Her reply was.........."NO, my intention is definately not to whisk away anyone's pets (as that would include my own!) thats why confidentiality is important"...etc etc... ....dealt mainly with pet shops, zoos and breeders in the past .... looking at private owners as well this time around..........etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I think it is a great idea. Better to have factual information on diseases than be told years ago that turtles were prohibeted imports because they can carry salmonella when half the animals on earth can. That way if the powers want to ban an animal they will have to front up with real reasons. If something is going to destroy the native bird population in short time if it escapes then that is good reason rather than the bumpf we are getting at present. I am in--free knowledge is always a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I think it is a great idea. Better to have factual information on diseases than be told years ago that turtles were prohibeted imports because they can carry salmonella when half the animals on earth can. That way if the powers want to ban an animal they will have to front up with real reasons. If something is going to destroy the native bird population in short time if it escapes then that is good reason rather than the bumpf we are getting at present. I am in--free knowledge is always a good thing. probably more chance of something coming in on starlings, dotterel etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 i agree i think confdentiality is a must ithink that this must be guaranteed but how? maybe these guys are moles? to get into peoples privte collections perhaps but would benefit the hobby if it is legit! i mean we could start importing all sorts maybe even komodo dragons:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 my son is doing zoology at massey and has checked this out for me the lady seems legit from that end just some personal thoughts on the topic have had our reps for a few years now and i have picked up no diseases off them that doesn't mean they are not carrying something though i personally would like to know what diseases they do carry as many are treatable to have this done professionally will cost a lot of money in lab time the animals i have are readily available in nz and have been here for awhile and related to other peoples reps cross contamination in your own collection can happen very easily one of the facts used to have the green iguana declared a new organism was that they were carrying mount pleasant salmonella and this was not found in nz previously but was present in a couple of collections in the states this suggested that these lizards were related to these collections and probably smuggled a few weeks after having them declared a new organism and removed from peoples collections an application was put to erma to have mount pleasant salmonella removed as a new organism as it had been in nz for a few years if this is a smokescreen for biosecurity etc and i lose my collection then there will be legal avenues to pursue the reptile hobby in nz is fragmented, and shrouded in secrecy as people are worried about having animals confiscated or stolen sadly the recent actions of authorities in the green iguana case, the theft of the day geckos from hamilton zoo and the high prices of tortoises on that site have only added to peoples protection of the rarer reps they have and distrust of people viewing their collections just some personal thoughts on the topic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 Livingart for President Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 Livingart for President Absolutely!! Good thoughts Livingart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldogod Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 well said and I agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 I agree 100% Its one thing and its nice to have reptiles that is a revenue generator, but its another to have it ridiculously priced like that where theft is viable for them. I reckon this study will also be good, if its legit. this will make sure that maf will not confiscate for no reason at all. but then again , they can do it anyways even with no valid reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 but then again , they can do it anyways even with no valid reason the reason has to be valid but the facts presented that back up the validity are usually incomplete, erroneous or have no relevance to new zealands climate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Would be cool if they did one for birds too? Post edited - Admin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 For the good of all parties I think we need to avoid making too many assumptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Hello, the person in question here. Thanks for the interesting discussion points and insights. I would like to confirm that my priority is to obtain my uni degree, not confiscate anyone's collection; nor am I a MAF mole. As the Salmonella swabs have a short shelf life, I try to collect a lot of them at a time and quickly send them to the lab, as this is more cost-effective. Therefore it is highly probable that I am the "same chick" that repto is referring to. If you have previously agreed to participate, and I have not contacted you, that means I was probably unable to fit you in on my last big sample collection trip (March/April 2008) and/or did not want to waste your time by taking samples that I could not guarantee would be processed in time. If you are still keen, let me know. If not, no worries. A scientific study providing a baseline of what pathogens are present within the exotic reptile population in NZ may help to prevent something like the "iguana fiasco" from happening again. For those of you that are uncomfortable with this study, simply disregard the participation invite. For those of you who have been in touch, I look forward to meeting you and providing you with some health information regarding your exotic reptiles free of charge. Sincerely, Heidy Kikillus ------------------------------- PhD Candidate, Ecology and Biodiversity Victoria University of Wellington School of Biological Sciences P.O. Box 600 Wellington 6140 New Zealand [email protected] Phone: +64 4 463 5233 x8011 Mobile: +64 0210 236 1197 Fax: +64 4 463 5331 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Welcome to the forum Heidy, and I hope you get some positive responses for your study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 good to meet you heidy, a genuine person tested all the reps and torts, but only a few of the turtles too many turts would have been swabbing for quite a while so just a few from each group thanks for the visit and the beer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 Thanks, Mark. It was lovely to meet you I'll be in Christchurch this Thursday and Friday. If there are any additional exotic reptile owners interested in participating, just let me know... Cheers, Heidy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 All the turtles were swabbed quickly and no problems....except a couple of snakenecks who were not sticking their tails out for anyone! Thanks for the visit Heidy and also the loan of the reptile book. Fascinating pictures!!! Good luck with getting your degree and I look forward to getting the swab results back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 Greatv to meet you and I am sure the turtles will lose their emarrassment in time. Very helpfull visit--I learned heaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 Thanks, it was great to meet all of you. Speedy too... I'll be in Palmerston North next week and Hawkes Bay briefly in the near future (exact date to be determined), in the event anyone else in those areas are keen to participate. Thanks again everyone for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.