The New Brunswick Python Story

I had intended to wait until all of the facts were clear to address the New Brunswick python situation, but it is becoming increasingly clear that this may never be the case.  What follows below is my opinion, and I apologize if it offends.

There’s no sense beating around the bush: the New Brunswick python story is a tragic situation.  If the case is as presented in the media, it speaks to great negligence on the part of the snake’s owner.  If it’s not, perhaps it speaks to something even worse. 

While many have rushed to conclusions, in my mind there is still a great deal of room for doubt here.  The story as presented is, to put it mildly, completely bizarre.  As a reptile biologist, educator, hobbyist and one-time keeper of giant snakes (in a zoo setting) the details of the story are difficult for me to fathom, and there are many unanswered questions.  Why would this snake, or any snake, constrict and kill something it did not then try to eat?  Why not one boy, but two?  Why has there been no mention of the bite marks, broken bones or extensive bruising that would accompany constriction by a large python?  How did a 45kg animal falling from the ceiling and violently constricting two boys not draw the attention of the other people in the house?  How did the killing of the first boy not wake the second?  And so on.

When reading the stories and watching the news, I think it is important to keep in mind the great deal of conjecture, potential misinformation and missing information involved, and to keep an open mind for now.  Regardless of the outcome though, there is no doubt that this story has affected the way people look at snakes.  Angry mobs are calling for the closure of zoos, a war on exotic pets and the banishment of those who keep them.

Making matters worse is the fact that the reptile community does – like many communities – play host to its fair share of sketchy characters.  And that the community, as a whole, doesn’t have a history of responding to controversy in the most professional, upstanding and responsible way.  In the last week I have seen not one but two individuals strolling around downtown with snakes on their arms, an apparent act of solidarity that serves only to alarm, frighten and generally worsen public perception.

While I am content to treat the New Brunswick situation as an incredibly isolated incident (almost certainly unique in Canadian history) and to accept the evidence as it comes, I worry about what this means for the world that, in spite of its inadequacies, I have come to love.  Reptile zoos, and even the reptile pet trade, serve a vital purpose to educate and improve attitudes about the most imperiled of Canada’s creatures.

I will be the first to agree that giant snakes, like the African Rock Python, should not be allowed as house pets under any condition.  Their keeping should be limited to qualified zoos with properly trained staff and the appropriate safety measures.  By-laws already address this in most municipalities.  But there is a host of species that make excellent educational ambassadors, and even good pets.

Take, for example, the humble Corn Snake.  Captive bred for over 70 years, these peaceable snakes do not exceed 2m in length and are incapable of harming anything larger than a rat.  Western Hognose Snakes are short and fat, and make their living eating toads and salamanders.  Rosy Boas could easily fit their entire body on top of the head of one of their larger, better-known cousins, and can be kept for their entire lives in a Rubbermaid sweaterbox.

Close-up experiences with these and other responsibly-kept species help kids (and adults) overcome fears, replace misinformation with knowledge, co-exist with their local fauna and contribute to reptile conservation.  They are the kind of experiences that put me where I am today, teaching others about nature and fighting for conservation through education and personal connection.  For every shady snake guy, there is a host of wonderful, responsible people providing lasting experiences in a safe manner.

Whatever the verdict in the New Brunswick case, I hope that when the dust settles we can all take a step back and see reason.  When (or if) the complete story comes to light, the blame will fall squarely on the shoulders of a person, not an animal or a community.  We should support reasonable rules and regulations for zoos and pet owners, and hold them appropriately accountable, but we must realize the vital purpose they serve.  Protection, both of ourselves and our wild neighbours, will be achieved not through fist-shaking, finger-pointing and angry letters, but through tolerance, understanding and cooperation.

Dear Naturalists - An Open Letter

Dear (Fellow) Naturalists,

Kyle here.  You may not remember, but we have met before.  I ran into you in Algonquin, chatted birds with you at Pelee, and paddled alongside you on Georgian Bay.  We are actually old friends, you and I, and I have enjoyed getting to know you.

I must be frank though, if this fruitful relationship is to continue.  Sometimes I find you just a little frustrating.  It's not your lack of fashion sense or social couth that bothers me (usually).  No, my concern is that sometimes, just sometimes, you can be a bit elitist.

Now I know you may find this hard to hear and believe, but try to think about it objectively.  I saw you  turn your nose up at the cyclists who disrupted your morning trail-walk.  I heard you mutter under your breath when a band of dog-walkers frightened away the bird you were eyeing.  And I watched you scorn with derision when the new guy at the office confided that he was a hunter.

You talk a good game about wanting others to enjoy and appreciate nature, but I'm beginning to learn that you have a very narrow idea of what that means.  What you mean to say is that you want others to enjoy nature, but only as long as they enjoy nature like you do.  Cyclists, dog-walkers, rock-climbers, hunters, fishermen and other 'users' of the outdoors need not apply.

You believe, I think, that all of these other forms of outdoor recreation do more harm to nature than good.  You view them all too often as the enemies of conservation, and even think of them as less worthy than yourselves.  You feel that only you truly understand nature, and that others just don't get it.

Well naturalists, I think you are in desperate need of a reality check.  The fight for conservation is a perennially uphill battle, and one that deserves a united front.  If nature-lovers are set on squabbling amongst themselves, what kind of image will we present to the policy-makers and dollar-holders?  Here we truly must take advantage of strength in numbers.

There is much more to this equation than simple math though.  What you often fail to recognize is that the key to conserving nature is assigning it value.  Certainly nature has value to you, but that value is something unquantifiable, and governments and businesses work in dollars and cents not sentiment and emotion.  This is where outdoor recreation shows its worth.

These nature 'users' bring about a measurable, quantifiable value for nature.  Hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports are profitable, so governments find them worthy of attention.  The government of Ontario, for example, administers hunting and fishing permits and levies fines against violators.  The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources claims to have sold 766000 Outdoors Cards in 2011 alone.  At about $10 each, it doesn't take an economist to understand we're dealing with big bucks.

The beauty of this system is that outdoor sports only have value if their practice remains possible, and it remains possible only if nature is intact.  Any hunter, fisherman or mountain biker worth his salt recognizes that the deterioration of nature means the disappearance of his favourite passtime.  Therefore nature use breeds conservation, and lo the naturalists and hunters share a common goal.  Granted there are certainly irresponsible outdoor enthusiasts, but if we're going to judge a group by only its most objectionable members, you naturalists are certainly not all peaches and cream.

Because most nature users recognize the need for conservation, they are not hesitant to commit money to the cause.  Non-profits like Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited receive this money via donations, membership fees and fundraising activities, then invest it in initiatives like wetland conservation and stream restoration.  Ducks Unlimited protects over 940000 acres of habitat in Ontario alone, while the Nature Conservancy of Canada - supported more by naturalists than hunters - protects 405260 acres nationwide*.  And do you know where those Outdoors Card fees go?  You guessed it: wildlife and fisheries management.

I should clarify at this point that I am not a hunter or fisherman, a mountain biker or even a dog-walker.  I won't claim that I always agree 100% with those who are, or that I think the above-mentioned non-profits are perfect.  But I know and have known sportsmen (and women), and I know that their love and appreciation for nature is as genuine as mine, even if their relationship with it is a little different.  I also know (as does anyone who works with children or animals) that working with is much more productive than working against, and that fostering cooperative relationships is a better way to affect change than infighting and head-butting.  

So I implore you, naturalists, to open your hearts and minds to all those who appreciate nature.  Allow yourself to consider the notion that anyone who has motivation to conserve nature should be your friend, and that together we present a stronger voice than we could apart.  Be prepared to talk through differences and contribute to productive discussion without becoming confrontational, overprotective or entitled.  Don't allow elitism to take precedence over what is truly important.

It seems this has become a lengthy letter and I hope, my dear fellow naturalists, that it has caused no offense.  I hope to run into you for many years to come, in Algonquin, at Pelee and on the Bay (and to continue taking gentle jabs at your choice of attire).  Keep fighting the good fight, look for opportunities to make new friends from old enemies, and don't let the small things sway your focus from what really matters.

Your Friend,
Kyle

*I by no means intend to imply that NCC is inferior or unworthy - they are a fantastic organization that does excellent work.  I include the numbers here only as a useful and thought-provoking comparison.