The Demise of Snapperfest

It appears that Snapperfest, the notoriously cruel "family fun" event that takes place in Ohio County Indiana, has been cancelled forever. So far, not too many news websites have picked up on this story but Herpdigest.org, an online news catalog that specializes in reporting about all things reptile and amphibian talks about it in some detail. "SNAPPERFEST IS DEAD!!!!!! Today Collette Adkins Giese, the Herptofauna lawyer for the Center for Biodiversity got a call from a DNR enforcement official who said that they've been told the event is cancelled and that they are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that it is actually cancelled. So a victory for snappers. And on their behalf a big thanks to all the people who created petitions, promoted them, went to the various meetings that resulted in this decision. You know who you are. As Collette said "I was late to the game, everyone else deserves the praise." But as the DNR says"They are closely monitoring to ensure that it is actually canceled." Which to me shows they don't trust their word as much as many of us do. So keep up with your monitoring of advertising, planned visits, whatever. Just do it quietly. Let's give them a chance to be true to their word.

 Allen Salzberg Publisher/Editor HerpDigest: The Only Free Internet-Only Weekly Newsletter that reports on the Latest Reptile and Amphibian Scientific and Conservation News Go to HerpDigest to subscribe.

Committee Chair Conservation & Media Committees New York Turtle & Tortoise Society Member of the IUCN Species Survival Group for Tortoises and Fresh Water Turtles" What does this mean? Between the sudden demise of Snapperfest and the reformation of the Claxton Rattlesnake Roundup, which has now become the Claxton, GA Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival, it has become apparent that the protection of "less charismatic" animals such as rattlesnakes and snapping turtles is actually being recognized as having importance nearly on par with that of more popular animals, such as dolphins and tigers. People are no longer focusing solely on how "cute" or intelligent an animal may seem when advocating for its protection. They want all wild animals protected for the appreciation of future generations. Think about that. The worm may have finally turned. Earth's biodiversity may yet stand a chance. I hope that we are not being to optimistic in thinking so.