As a passionate advocate for reptiles and the conservation of their species, Illawarra Reptile Society finds itself deeply concerned by the new rules proposed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) that will govern how shows and expos are held in New South Wales. These rules, while ostensibly championing animal welfare, would instead pose a threat to our educational events and conservation efforts, by imposing unrealistic cage size requirements and actually increasing poor animal welfare at such events by increasing the amount of times a enclosure must be opened and increasing humidity in enclosures.
Currently, these events provide crucial education to the public, broadening our understanding of reptiles, their care, and their importance to the ecosystem. They are also instrumental in raising much-needed funds for conservation projects. Under the proposed rules, only the smallest breeds or hatchings would be allowed to be sold or displayed. This could lead to considerable restrictions on the sale of reptiles and a devastating loss to our collaborative, educational, and conservation efforts.
For example, frogs—a vital group of species in the reptile shows—will not be able to be showcased or sold due to the new cage-size requirements, which will require sizes too large to be practical for displays or sales. This not only impacts the livelihoods of the organizers and sellers of these shows but also hampers our efforts to educate the public about the importance of these creatures to our environment and encourage empathy and understanding.
We feel that a more balanced approach, one that considers the welfare of the animals and the educational value of these shows, should be adopted instead of the proposed rules. We urge the NPWS to collaborate with the organisers of these shows, reconsider and adjust their regulations in a way that supports both animal welfare and the unique educational and conservation benefits that these shows provide. Sign this petition to oppose NPWS's unrealistic regulations and protect our reptile shows.
Currently, these events provide crucial education to the public, broadening our understanding of reptiles, their care, and their importance to the ecosystem. They are also instrumental in raising much-needed funds for conservation projects. Under the proposed rules, only the smallest breeds or hatchings would be allowed to be sold or displayed. This could lead to considerable restrictions on the sale of reptiles and a devastating loss to our collaborative, educational, and conservation efforts.
For example, frogs—a vital group of species in the reptile shows—will not be able to be showcased or sold due to the new cage-size requirements, which will require sizes too large to be practical for displays or sales. This not only impacts the livelihoods of the organizers and sellers of these shows but also hampers our efforts to educate the public about the importance of these creatures to our environment and encourage empathy and understanding.
We feel that a more balanced approach, one that considers the welfare of the animals and the educational value of these shows, should be adopted instead of the proposed rules. We urge the NPWS to collaborate with the organisers of these shows, reconsider and adjust their regulations in a way that supports both animal welfare and the unique educational and conservation benefits that these shows provide. Sign this petition to oppose NPWS's unrealistic regulations and protect our reptile shows.
