@shoebill1
It is nice to see that the owner is doing good work in Uganda, He has some interesting ideas on how to improve tourism too, Hopefully his sketchiness is all in the past and he continues to do work for conservation.
Uganda and South Africa are both very Zoo-strong countries that are often overlooked in the bigger scheme of things, I look forward to seeing what you can contribute to us about this wonderful country and it's even more wonderful wildlife!
@Nix His sketchyness is not in the past, they are still making huge sums of money from breeding illegal reptiles (the Galapagos iguana and the Fijian crested iguana), which then can flow into CONservation
The only African golden cat import into South Africa recently was 4 wild-caught animals from Gabon.
I was not aware he has managed to breed the Galapagos iguanas and Fiji iguanas. It is unfortunate, both incredible species who deserve better treatment. Hopefully one day we'll see legal individuals make there way around the world, as to educate and show people about the wonders of Darwin's famous Island, seems unlikely thanks to the strictness of the Ecuadorian government.
Would you happen to know the destination of these 4 cats? Do you know of any other exotic animals imported to South Africa in recent years? I understand if you cannot disclose.
@Nix The info on the golden cat import comes from the public CITES database (CITES Trade Database), which only lists country of origin / country of destination.
There is a recent video on his private facebook showing recently hatched Galapagos land iguanas. If he breeds the other species too, I do not know, there are quite some exports of Fiji crested iguana listed from Uganda (which originally came from the same route: smuggled to Mali, given fake cites papers there, imported to Switzerland, then exported to Uganda), but not so many imports, so presumably they are bred there too (or smuggled directly to Uganda in larger numbers).
@lintworm but one thing I dont understand.. if as you claim the animals are illegal, how comes the receiving countries issue cites import permits for them? Japan does not seem like a corrupt country? What of the other countries ou listed. Also why does the cites trade database list as you claim illegal animals as legal ? This does not really add up ?
@shoebill1 Unfortunately there is a lot of fake and questionable CITES paperwork. If you look at pangolin import and export reports for example, there is an uncomfortably large amount of discrepancy in locations and numbers between the two sections in supposed shipments.
Do we know which of the 11 recognized subspecies these Marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) these animals at CTC Conservation Center belong to? Also, knowing that their diet in the wild is algae, would anyone on here know what are they fed at this facility?
@lintworm and yet you blame Uganda for not having tight enough laws? These animals were acquired legally, with all papers provided. I dont know why you post the same respinse to every single thread wit the same unrelatd links?
Get a life?
@Muzungavu Thank you for the advice, but I already have a very fulfilling and fun live. Have fun with yours by protecting a "zoo" run by convicted animal smugglers.
