Here in these pages we are trying to determine if it is possible for the private sector to build sound populations of captive bred reptiles and amphibians for the future. It is a difficult task and we are not convinced it can be done. There are many obstacles to overcome if we are to succeed. Individual efforts can contribute most if they are working toward a common goal such as healthy, genetically sound, captive populations for our great great grandchildren. The private sector holds many animals that are more valuable collectively than individually.
Nobody knows the numbers and species being kept.
It is our hope that collectors can find ways to contribute their data to our project. We are not trying to track the genetics of all the captive populations. We are simply trying to show what numbers are being kept of which species, and how many people are breeding each species. We think that all persons keeping and breeding reptiles and amphibians in captivity should stop and think about a bigger picture. It is to our collective advantage to know which species are being kept and bred.