(Aust)Wood ducks, dragons & pythons for sale

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For sale: wood ducks, dragons and pythons.

Adelaide Advertiser , South Australia

http://theadvertiser.com.au/0,3546,1436905%255E2682,00.html

By KIM WHEATLEY

21nov00

 

BEARDED dragons, wood ducks and carpet pythons are some of the creatures

offered for sale by tender by a State Government department.

 

Also being offered are three " vulnerable " yellow-tailed black cockatoos

which, on the overseas black market, can fetch up to $20,000 a pair.

The creatures, to be sold by the Department for Administrative and

Information Services, can be viewed by appointment at Monarto Zoological

Park, near Murray Bridge.

 

But potential buyers may be required to obtain the relevant permit from the

Department for Environment and Heritage.

 

Most of the birds and reptiles were taken illegally from the wild and seized

as evidence for subsequent court cases.

 

The rest are " surrendered stock " from people no longer able to keep the

animals as pets.

 

Monarto Fauna Complex's operations manager Gary Fitzpatrick said yesterday

most of the reptiles would be sold in individual lots while most of the

birds would be offered for sale in groups. Money raised would be channelled

into the Wildlife Conservation Fund and used for scientific research.

 

" The money goes to a good cause – it could end up saving endangered animals

and plants, " Mr Fitzpatrick said.

 

" People can apply for grants through the fund to carry out scientific

research into endangered species. "

 

But Mr Fitzpatrick stressed the sale was not simply " a money-making

exercise " .

 

" Our prime concern is the animals. Wherever possible we release them back

into the wild, but these particular species of birds and animals are

obviously not suitable. "

 

Bird dealer Steve Turner said the tender system offered a good opportunity

for genuine bird and animal lovers to become involved in new species.

 

Tenders will close on Friday, December 4.

 

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