Due to the increase of exotic pets being released into the Everglades National Park, the Florida Fish & Game Commission, created an the program, "Non-Native Amnesty Days". This program is for pet owners of non-traditional pets like snakes and lizards, amphibians and birds, and mammals, can deposit these animals without risk of prosecution for illegal dumping of exotic species.
The Commission has developed a list of exotic breeds that had been released into the wild through the pet trade by dealers and escaped from cages, and because of their formidable size and aggressive natures and breeding in the wild with damage and danger to native wildlife. The list includes: Burmese pythons and African Rock pythons, Amethystine pythons and Reticulated pythons, Green anaconda and Nile Monitor lizards.
Recently listed were 4 species of Burmese pythons and 2 subspecies of African Rock pythons and a Yellow Anaconda. These listed are now since 2012, illegal to import into the USA.
The Florida Wildlife Commission has a specific hunting season, whereby they allow exotic hunters into wildlife management areas to hunt and catch, euthenize and then sell the meat and hides from these exotic animals.
Also exotic snake owners are required to pay a $100 permit fee and have their pets microchip implanted so if lost they can be identified.
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