Studying herptiles in the wild

[Szepp]

Hi,

I am a keen amateur herpetologist and conservationist and would like to know if we are allowed to examine and identify wild reptiles and amphibians and immediately release at the site or is a license needed?

thanks

 

[Cheesecake]

Usually, a scientific research permit and animal ethics approval is needed before you can undertake any "hands-on" study of herps (and other native vertebrates) in the wild. Casual observation, photography, etc. is usually allowed without a permit but the laws vary from state to state. Technically, its also illegal to remove native animals off the road until they've been run over!

Cheers,
David.

 

[hornet]

also from what i hear, technically you do need a permit to photograph reptiles. I'm not 100% sure but it may just be for flash photography or if you need to manipulate the animals for the shot that a permit is needed which i find very stupid, also the fact your not alowed to move them off the road uness they are dead, so much for trying to protect our native wildlife.

 

[Cheesecake]

I think you're right about needing a permit for flash photography (I remember Scott Eipper mentioned it in a previous thread). I think it's important to let common sense prevail when it comes to rescuing animals off the road.

 

[jessb]

Technically, its also illegal to remove native animals off the road until they've been run over!

That's interesting to know! We get loads of blueys and EWDs as well as lorikeets and bandicoots on the roads around us and I'm always the ***** who stops my car in the middle of the road (small, suburban streets only) shoos the animal into the bushes, takes the injured animal to the vet, or takes the little corpse off the road, then waves apologetically to all the angry motorists.

 

[GraftonChic]

Im with you there Jess B

 

[TANN-MANN]

In NSW a scientific research permit is needed, and you can't get one without and animal ethics permit if handling...both of which are fairly hard to get unless affiliated with a research organisation like a university

 

[m.punja]

Criminals!

 

[Szepp]

Thanks for feed back.

Pitty it seems like a bunch of crazed bureaucrats invented overly complicated, unworkable laws I am all for protecting nature and environment and a bit befuddle and why the technically criminalize people who move animals from the road or to an animal hospital.

I found the below links that have some useful info on licenses and stuff:-

NSW
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Licences+and+business

Other states
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Wildlife+licences+in+other+states

 

[$NaKe PiMp]

laws can be dumb

 

[lazybuddha]

i doubt removing wildlife off a busy road would stand up in court

 

[sengir]

also from what i hear, technically you do need a permit to photograph reptiles. I'm not 100% sure but it may just be for flash photography or if you need to manipulate the animals for the shot that a permit is needed which i find very stupid, also the fact your not alowed to move them off the road uness they are dead, so much for trying to protect our native wildlife.

In QLD sankes are PROTECTED so strictly speaking even photographs are not allowed but I think that is stupid. And the chances of someone enforcing that law are dismally low. Imagine how dismally stupid the person would have to be to WANT to enforce that law, lol Some stupid laws out there, but the powers that be eg, the ones who know didly squat, seem to think they are doing it for the best, especially the moving a snake off the road until its dead crap.
JMO

Cheers

 

[cris]

In qld you can keep an animal up to 3 days if you think it is injured, in order to find correct care or apply for a permit to look after it yourself. If you happen to take it off a road or take a few pics during these 3 days i cant see it being a problem, I swear it looked like it was injured

Can anyone direct me to where it says you cant take photos of native animals(without touching them) ?

 

[sengir]

It is part of the nature conservation act, as the animals are "PROTECTED" you can do nothing at all with them, no photos nothing. NOTHING lol as in anything they would not normally occur to them in the wild, hence Photos, removal off roads to save road killing etc. I have worked very closely with the bunch of tools who are QPWS and that is the way it stands. I dont agree, and am unsure about the 3 day keeping law but find it somewhat "out there" when it comes to the nature conservation act QLD JMO not trying to offend anyone.

Cheers

 

[scorps]

yeah chris you are correct i rescued a injured frilled neck and the vet tolled me i coujdl keep it for three days but it didnt look to good so i got it to the vet that day

 

[sengir]

The vet, yeah and they are the authority on wild animals, way to go, Wait next they will tell you that you can keep it on license. I dont mean to offend but maybe a little research is the way to go instead of kissing but?

 

[Australis]

You can take photos of native animals and not disturb them.
HUNDREDS of people do it across the country in NP daily.

Start making money off the images might be a different
story though?

 

[sengir]

Never said you couldnt do it Australis, Just stated the way the Nature Conversation does, like I said stupid law, that you would have to be stupid to think of either enforcing or abiding by in my opinion, only stating the facts I know in direct answer to the question. Hell I posted a thread on here wiht 20+ pics of snakes that were in the wild which I also helped the ones that where on the road off. So just answering the question asked

 

[Szepp]

My favorite quote from my hero the bush tucker man, Les Hiddens is "KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid". This should be applied to pretty much everything in life. When coming up with a plan, holiday, or law or anything, you shouldn't make it overly complicated and unworkable else it is doomed to failure or problems.

 

[cris]

Taking a photo of an animal is no differant to looking at it. What exactly does it say to make taking a photo illegal if it doesnt disturb the animal?

The 3 day thing is correct and yes it is a bit "out there" as you put it, there are probably many 1000's of regulations that fit in that category.