ESA: Hellbender

Dec 13, 2024

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Read the Federal Register document at...
ALERT: Ashley, OH

ALERT: Ashley, OH

Dec 11, 2024

UPDATE 1/7/25: The final vote was postponed because Mayor Lockhart and the Council want to ensure they write a sound ordinance. USARK President Phil Goss attended and spoke for responsible reptile and “exotic” animal owners. Since only a few species would...
ALERT: Michigan

ALERT: Michigan

Dec 3, 2024

Senator Polehanki has introduced a late bill in the Michigan Senate to classify all crocodilians as prohibited species. A grandfather clause allows the owner to obtain a permit from Michigan DNR. Owners who held crocodilians before the effective date will have 180...
ALERT: Michigan

ALERT: Lansford, PA

Nov 25, 2024

UPDATE Feb. 12, 2025: The City Council continues work on the exotic animal ordinance. There will be a meeting to discuss this issue, but the date has not been announced. The Lansford Council has directed the borough solicitor (city attorney) to draft an exotic animal...

ALERT: Florence, SC

Nov 18, 2024

UPDATE 3/6/25: No local residents appeared to speak at the hearing. The ordinance passed with some amendments, linked below. UPDATE 3/6/25: A new draft is scheduled to be heard at the City Council meeting on Monday, March 10. Some changes have been made but the draft...