Ορισμένα είδη σαύρας Tegu και Monitor δεν επιτρέπονται πλέον ως κατοικίδια στη Γεωργία

Την Τρίτη 22 Οκτωβρίου, το Συμβούλιο Φυσικών Πόρων της Γεωργίας ψήφισε τον περιορισμό της μελλοντικής ιδιοκτησίας εξωτικών ερπετών ως απάντηση στον αυξανόμενο αριθμό χωροκατακτητικών ειδών που απειλούν το εγγενές οικοσύστημα.

Η απαγόρευση έγινε ειδικά για την αντιμετώπιση του προβλήματος δύο χωροκατακτητικών ειδών ερπετών, Burmese pythons and Argentine Black and White tegu lizards, who are imported from South America and are often released or escape into the wild, where they feed on the eggs of local species of birds and reptiles, threatening 42% of the local wildlife. Burmese snakes can also carry parasitic lungworms and spread harmful diseases.

Other species affected by the ban are Nile monitor lizards, African helmeted turtles and Chinese softshell turtles. Current owners can keep their pets as long as they are registered with the authorities. The transferring, sale and transportation of these animal is also allowed during a 12-month transiction period, but no importation or breeding will be allowed starting from next month.

Can you own a tegu in Georgia?

As of October 2022, the state of Georgia has put a restriction on the ownership of Argentine black and white tegus (ο σωτήρας της Μαρίας) as pets. This is the most common species of pet tegu and include popular color morphs, δηλ. ο Μπλε tegu και Chacoan tegu.

Two other species of tegus that can be found in the pet trade, ο Κόκκινη πράξη (σωτήρας κοκκίνισμα) και Colombian or golden tegu (tupinambis teguixin) are currently not affected by the ban.