Our stock list is slowly becoming replenished. In the coming months species and morphs that have been noticeably absent from our lists such as several auratus, tinctorius and even a few Ranitomeya should all be back in stock and regularly available throughout the year.
WIKIRI Shipments
A few WIKIRI shipments are in the works. The first to the US, direct to Indoor Ecosystems, is due to land shortly – in early May. Orders are closed for this shipment, but we are taking orders for a subsequent September shipment direct from WIKIRI.
In July we will be bringing in another shipment to Canada from WIKIRI, included on this will be a few of the Diablo sylvatica. We received a small shipment of these in February and I can’t say enough about the quality of the frogs and the intensity of the colours! Very impressive. We also received, Cielito tricolor, and Ankas and Santa Isabella anthonyi. While we are sold out of the Cielito, we still have a few of both of the anthonyi forms available. They are both really impressive morphs, and the colours are extremely vibrant. WIKIRI has really done some impressive work producing these frogs.
Please inquire for pricing and further info if you are interested in WIKIRI frogs.
US Shipments
Our next shipment to the US via Indoor Ecosystems is scheduled for June 8th with orders due by May 20th.
We have a nice variety of Ranitomeya and Mantella available for this shipment. We still have a few nearly full grown true nominal fantastica available too. We may also have a few more Ameerega silverstonei ready to go for this shipment as well. For anyone looking for an impressive treefrog, we will have a limited number of Cruziohyla craspedopus available for this June shipment as well.
Something else we are excited about is the release of the first Oophaga species from our collaborative efforts with the CRARC. We have a limited number of O. pumilio “Rufous Ridge” ready to go for this June shipment.
As always, half of the sale price of each CRARC frog sold is donated to the CRARC so that Brian and his team can continue their scientific and conservation work in Costa Rica.
Finally I want to bring attention to an issue that many of you, particularly in Canada may have heard about. I am referring to the ban of all frogs of the family Dendrobatidae in the Province of Alberta. This ban caught the entire exotic pet community in Canada by surprised and for a long time any details as to what led to the decision were extremely murky. The only thing that was clear is that it appeared to be based on grossly inaccurate and sensationalized interpretation of what was meant by the name “Poison Frog”, and a complete lack of regard for what nearly 40 years of scientific research has taught us about Dendrobatid toxicity in Captivity. For an over view, please read this article by Dr. Jason Brown I will now defer to the words of Lucas Neter of Jungle Jewels Exotics and allow him to explain in detail the current situation in Alberta. I am cautiously optimistic that through engaging with appropriate channels that this ban can be reversed. Lucas writes:
Currently we at Jungle Jewel Exotics have been working with PIJAC, and a group of individuals, business (including UE) local (to Alberta) Reptile Societies to help reverse the current ban of Dendrobatidae and Aromobatidae within Alberta that was enacted by the AESRD (Alberta Environmental and Sustainable Resource Development). During a previous review of the Alberta Fish and Wildlife act in 1997 by the AESRD, the only family of Dendrobatidae that was restricted in Alberta was Phyllobates. That is until recently, with the sudden and unexpected revision to the Fish and Wildlife Act under the section of controlled species, to now include ALL POISON ARROW FROGS (Family Dendrobatidae and Family Aromobatidae). Until now Albertans have been able to legally acquire and keep these frogs; however, in what seems like an overnight decision these same hobbyists have now been placed in a compromising position. Government officials have released a letter to people known to keep these frogs. In this letter people are told that they have until April 30, 2015 to “Divest” (get rid of) their frogs. However the options are very limited. People can send all frogs out of province at the owner’s expense, donate them to the accredited Zoos, or to anyone with a research permit already issued by the Government, or ultimately hand them over to Fish and Wild Life officials for them to deal with. Officials have also advised that no grandfather permits will be issued to people that had acquired the frogs legally before any known regulation change.
We at Jungle Jewel Exotics are committed to work with officials to overturn this ruling; however, we still need everyone’s support. You can help support our cause by signing our petition to ask the AESRD to reverse the ban on Dendrobatidae and Aromobatidae by visiting https://www.change.org/p/government-of-alberta-reverse-the-sudden-painted-frog-ban-in-alberta?just_created=true. We may, as a last resort, also need to take our fight to the next level and seek legal support. While we have raised funds to help this we are asking that anyone willing to help fund the fight visit our campaign and donate what they can. Any money not used directly to overturn the regulation in Alberta will be donated to help others fight similar battles, and/or donated to organizations currently working on the conservation of the frogs in the wild. To donate please visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fight-the-sudden-painted-frog-ban-in-alberta. For more information and to keep up-to-date with these changes you can visit www.nohome.ca as well as www.junglejewelexotics.com
You can also get involved with your local Reptile and Amphibian Society. Within Alberta, you have two to choose from. In Edmonton you can join ERAS (Edmonton Reptile and Amphibian Society) visit their site www.edmontonreptiles.com If you live in Calgary you can join TARAS (The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society) visit their site www.albertareptilesociety.org
Lastly I wish to thank PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council) for helping band together the group of people dedicated to help have this regulation overturned, and to continue to work with officials on matters like this. To see what they do, and to become a member please visit http://www.pijaccanada.com
Happy Frogging!
Lucas Neter and Dawn Soul
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jungle-Jewel-Exotics/556404784421390?pnref=lhc
As you can see, the situation is disheartening, and should be a concern for anyone passionate about keeping frogs or other exotics. I urge everyone keeping dendrobatid frogs to stop using the term poison frog for these frogs, as the name itself conjures up misperceptions amongst the uniformed. As we all know these frogs are completely harmless in captivity, and save for the three Phyllobates species (terribilis, bicolor, aurotaenia) are harmless in the wild as well. As Dr Brown suggests, and as indigenous people through the Peruvian Amazon call these frogs, we too should begin referring all Dendrobatid frogs other than the genus Phyllobates as Painted Frogs. Unfortunately in an age when news is increasingly sensationalized and so much of the nature programming is produced with scientific accuracy taking a back seat to ratings and mass appeal, the name poison frog will be continuously misinterpreted.
Thanks for reading this far.
Best wishes to all of you,
Understory Enterprises Inc.
