Volunteer veterinarians look over a surrendered Burmese python at Florida Fish and Wildlife amnesty event in Brevard County in April 2014. (Photo: Courtesy Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Bring your weird pets.
Florida Fish and Wildlife makes you this promise: No one will ask you about coatimundi.
All sorts of strange animals have been surrendered as part of Florida Fish and Wildlife’s exotic pet amnesty program over the years. But the beauty of the program, which will hold an amnesty day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palm Beach Zoo, is that the government’s policy of taking them no questions asked keeps invasive species out of Florida’s battered ecosystem.
“It’s for people who are overwhelmed,” program coordinator Liz Barraco said. “Rather than release them into the eco system, we can find a new home for that animal.”
Christen Mason of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service takes in a surrendered albino Burmese python. (Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.)
Florida’s flush with exotic fauna. But since 2006, many exotic species could be owned legally only with a special permit, Barraco said. Since then, Florida Fish and Wildlife has encouraged owners to turn their regrets over to them rather than into the Everglades, where non-native reptiles like Burmese pythons have become an apex predator. Even legalized python hunts have failed to make a dent.
That means a parade of strange animals when they hold an amnesty day, as with this second annual event at the Palm Beach Zoo.
The coatimundi, which looks like a wild South American raccoon, was only one of them. There were the 29 sugar gliders that were turned over en masse a few years ago. And the 8-foot boa constrictor who was eating the owner out of house and home.
Barraco said a common theme is the boy who loved the snakes and tortoises that become a chore to puzzled parents when he leaves for college. The other is the pet owner who had no idea what he was getting into with an exotic species.
Those cute sugar gliders, say, are only awake at night. The tortoise a parent bought as a Christmas gift might grow to 200 pounds and live 80 years. A beautiful macaw remains demanding and noisy for 50 years. And that wild-looking albino Burmese python is going to look positively fearsome at 25-feet long.
Those who can’t make Saturday’s event can turn in their pets any time by calling the clever 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681).
“It’s a lot more commitment than a dog or a cat for many of these species,” Barraco said. “It can quickly get out of hand.”
IF YOU GO
What: Second Annual Exotic Pet Amnesty Day for Palm Beach County. Owners may surrender any exotic nonnative animals they may be keeping as pets without penalties or questions.
Where: Dreher Park, behind the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society and next to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium. 4800 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More information: http://myfwc.com/nonnatives or call 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681)
