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Bears (and Lynx and Rhinos) Are Officially ‘Dangerous,’ N.Y. Says Bears (and Lynx and Rhinos) Are Officially ‘Dangerous,’ N.Y. Says
(about 11 hours later)
Thursday was a tough day to own a Eurasian lynx.Thursday was a tough day to own a Eurasian lynx.
Responding to what it called a recent surge in animals gone wild, New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation moved on Thursday to label an array of exotic animals “dangerous.”Responding to what it called a recent surge in animals gone wild, New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation moved on Thursday to label an array of exotic animals “dangerous.”
Officials proposed set of regulations that they said were meant to clarify and codify longstanding prohibitions on a variety of dangerous game, after a rash of incidents that “posed a risk to public safety and the environment.” Officials proposed a set of regulations that they said were meant to clarify and codify longstanding prohibitions on a variety of dangerous game, after a rash of incidents that “posed a risk to public safety and the environment.”
The episodes included one in Wappingers Falls, in the Hudson Valley, involving a homeowner with a five-and-a-half-foot alligator and more than a dozen turtles; an Orange County man who had stockpiled more than 150 venomous snakes (including one who bit him); and a nine-foot anaconda that made a crawl for it in Suffolk County in July. (It was recaptured, thankfully.)The episodes included one in Wappingers Falls, in the Hudson Valley, involving a homeowner with a five-and-a-half-foot alligator and more than a dozen turtles; an Orange County man who had stockpiled more than 150 venomous snakes (including one who bit him); and a nine-foot anaconda that made a crawl for it in Suffolk County in July. (It was recaptured, thankfully.)
Supporting documents for the proposed regulations were more frightening, outlining various unsavory incidents involving animals in New York and elsewhere. They included a black mamba snake killing an upstate woman in 2011; an elementary school student attacked by a lemur in 2010; and a 2009 chimpanzee attack in Connecticut involving a 200-pound primate who had been dosed with Xanax.Supporting documents for the proposed regulations were more frightening, outlining various unsavory incidents involving animals in New York and elsewhere. They included a black mamba snake killing an upstate woman in 2011; an elementary school student attacked by a lemur in 2010; and a 2009 chimpanzee attack in Connecticut involving a 200-pound primate who had been dosed with Xanax.
But, as Indiana Jones and Samuel L. Jackson learned all too well, snakes seem to be the biggest problem.But, as Indiana Jones and Samuel L. Jackson learned all too well, snakes seem to be the biggest problem.
“Throughout the U.S., cases of attacks, bites and death from python and constrictor snakes are well documented,” the department’s filing read.“Throughout the U.S., cases of attacks, bites and death from python and constrictor snakes are well documented,” the department’s filing read.
Among the animals soon to be defined as hazardous are the aforementioned lynx (a midsize feline native to Central Europe and Asia), several venomous or constrictive snakes, and lizards like the Komodo dragon.Among the animals soon to be defined as hazardous are the aforementioned lynx (a midsize feline native to Central Europe and Asia), several venomous or constrictive snakes, and lizards like the Komodo dragon.
The newly designated dangerous animals also includes a skulk of foxes (arctic, swift, bat-eared); a barrel of monkeys (squirrel and capuchin); a sleuth of bears (Asian black, sun, and spectacled); and a menagerie of other animals, including African forest elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, wolverines, badgers, bats, skunks and raccoons.The newly designated dangerous animals also includes a skulk of foxes (arctic, swift, bat-eared); a barrel of monkeys (squirrel and capuchin); a sleuth of bears (Asian black, sun, and spectacled); and a menagerie of other animals, including African forest elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, wolverines, badgers, bats, skunks and raccoons.
The state noted that it “already regulates the possession of dozens of dangerous animals for exhibition purposes, including American alligators, caimans, venomous snakes, native bears, wolves, large cats (lion, tiger, leopard), large reptiles, and gorillas.”The state noted that it “already regulates the possession of dozens of dangerous animals for exhibition purposes, including American alligators, caimans, venomous snakes, native bears, wolves, large cats (lion, tiger, leopard), large reptiles, and gorillas.”
Those animals cannot be possessed as pets, the department said, but can be owned by zoos, game farms and other private facilities with the proper licenses.Those animals cannot be possessed as pets, the department said, but can be owned by zoos, game farms and other private facilities with the proper licenses.
Under the new rules, which would take effect after a 60-day public comment period, people with any of the newly identified dangerous animals would be required to obtain a license. Exceptions to the new rules would be made for those conducting scientific research or providing “rehabilitative care” for animals like bobcats or coyotes.Under the new rules, which would take effect after a 60-day public comment period, people with any of the newly identified dangerous animals would be required to obtain a license. Exceptions to the new rules would be made for those conducting scientific research or providing “rehabilitative care” for animals like bobcats or coyotes.
Basil Seggos, the department’s commissioner, cast the decision to put new animals on the dangerous list as a reflection of their owners’ poor behavior, rather than a knock on the animals themselves.Basil Seggos, the department’s commissioner, cast the decision to put new animals on the dangerous list as a reflection of their owners’ poor behavior, rather than a knock on the animals themselves.
“Several bad actors have broken the rules recently,” Mr. Seggos said, “and it was clear that we needed more stringent oversight to safeguard New Yorkers and our native wildlife.”“Several bad actors have broken the rules recently,” Mr. Seggos said, “and it was clear that we needed more stringent oversight to safeguard New Yorkers and our native wildlife.”