In July 2003, Reptiles Magazine printed an article in their Ask the Breeder column about how to breed iguanas. Needless to say, many in the iguana community were upset to see that a magazine usually so well known for it's attention to the ethical issues surrounding reptiles would print such an article without at least drawing attention to the plight of iguanas in the pet trade. Our own IgDen member Jim Goodrich, along with many others, contacted Reptiles in response to this article. Jim's letter, in a condensed form, was printed in the September 2003 issue of Reptiles, and he has graciously allowed us to reprint the full text of his letter here.
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Dear Editor:
I was appalled to see the reply to "Iguana Breeding Quandary"
in the July issue’s "Ask the Breeder" Column.
I am at a loss as to how a magazine I considered a good source of information
could be so ignorant of the plight of unwanted iguanas. Reptile rescues,
such as mine, have to turn away many iguanas each year. I see so many
sick and dying iguanas due to people's lack of knowledge of proper care.
They have become disposable pets for too many people. Here in Ohio they
are given away as prizes, while in Florida there are colonies of these
non-native reptiles destroying the natural eco-system.
If you or Mr. Walls are unaware of the current state of pet iguanas please
look at these rescue sites:
Wild Green Yonder [my site]
Scales and Tails
Colorado Reptile Rescue
White Iguana Reptile
Rescue
ARROWHEAD Reptile Rescue
Please print an article or column discouraging people from breeding iguanas,
or at least make them aware of the situation. We do not need more unwanted
iguanas in the pet trade right now.
And also please print something indicating chicken wire is a poor choice
for caging - it injures iguana toes.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, iguana care, or iguana
rescue please contact me at this e-mail (wigy@whizamfmtv.com) or call
me at home.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Jim Goodrich
Director
Wild GREEN Yonder
www.wigy.org
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