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Transcript: John Binns
International Reptile Conservation
February 1, 2009

PHFaust: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at Kingsnake.com, I'm very pleased to welcome John Binns to our Eleventh Annual Chat Week.

PHFaust: We as reptile owners have many different things to look at when we have our pets. One of the most important is conservation. If we deplete and destroy wild species, what will there be left!

PHFaust: John Binns, one half of the driving force behind the International Reptile Conservation Foundation, will be joining us to talk on past and current projects, ways you can get involved, ways you can help endangered species and more.

PHFaust: The IRCF is in the middle of a major membership drive, so be sure to stay tuned to see how you can be a member and for those attending NARBC Arlington, how you can help this wonderful organization that Kingsnake is currently partnered with.

PHFaust: Ladies and Gentlemen, I present John Binns.

PHFaust: John would you like to make an opening Statement?

John_IRCF: Thank you Cindy, it is a pleasure to be here. Thank you everyone as well for showing up tonight. GA

JungleDancer: Greetings John, thank you for sharing your time with us. Do you think that the new bill H.R. 669 will have a detrimental effect for endangered/threatened species if it is passed in this revised edition? Do you think the chances of it passing are slim or good?

John_IRCF: At this time, I believe chances are slim - but one needs to be careful and continue to track this sort of thing - because laws have a way of being passed when no one is paying attention. GA

PHFaust: John, are there any special pushes that hte IRCF currently have planned?

John_IRCF: Our big thing currently is our membership drive. I am sure you have seen out banners running on Kingsnake - thank you Jeff Barringer. We will be publishing in full color the very next issue. GA

John_IRCF: This is extremely exciting for us GA

sean46877: John, thank you for the article about cyclura on reptiles mag. We don't have any rock iguanas(maybe someday). Just green igs. I think a lot of the info aply to the greens as well.

John_IRCF: You are welcome Sean. It works for MOST of the cyclura as well -not just Rhinos GA

Scotty Allen: what is H.R. 669?

John_IRCF: to prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative wildlife species that negatively impact the econly environment or other animal species or human health and for other purposes

John_IRCF: sorry - I am not the fasttest typist. GA

Scotty Allen: gotcha, thanks ... I have heard of that pending legislation but was not familiar with the title

John_IRCF: Yes- it appears to have been introduced on Jan 26. GA

PHFaust: Not a problem john. You mentioned the ads that kingsnake is running for you. Recently Kingsnake took up another way of helping non-profit conservation groups. IRCF was chosen as our pilot partner. Would you like to explain what we are doing together?

John_IRCF: absolutely.

John_IRCF: Kingsnake has graciously given us T-Shirts to give out at the shows. The idea is that each person donates $1 and they get a TShirt. This promotion was very well received at Pamona Show and it even brought in addtional donations over the t-shirts them selves

John_IRCF: We will be giving them away at the NARBC show in Texas as well. Desiree Wong will be there - so all who are going need to come by to say HI. GA

PHFaust: Kingsnake shirts may no longer be free, but they are going to various good causes!!! IRCF Will be at Arlington this weekend. 1 buck for a shirt gang!!! It is not so much to make a big difference!

PHNubila: two part question.. how can members be active within the IRCF and what are the benefits of being a member?

John_IRCF: Benefits - helps us to develop a following which gives us clout - with clout we get more attention, more donations, etc.

John_IRCF: A member can be active by helping at shows, - we are in the process of re-vamping the website and we will be posting spots for volunteers to sign up and help in certain areas. ALSO...

John_IRCF: we would like to get links on as many of the herp society and local groups to help spread the word about membership

butters_nr: Are there certain projects that you support?

John_IRCF: Blue Iguana program in Grand Cayman - which we have been active since the beginning of the program.

John_IRCF: In Guatemala we have 2 projects, heloderma (Guatemalan Beaded lizard) and ctenosaura (palearis)

John_IRCF: Argentine Sand Dune Lizard

John_IRCF: General support of ongoing cyclura recovery in the West Indies, which varies GA

varnyard: How are the populations holding up on the GCs?

John_IRCF: Good - we have released

JungleDancer: In addition to IRCF membership, what can "we" as reptile hobbyists do to help the cause, especially on a local level? hmm... partially answered already... any work with US native species?

John_IRCF: We are looking for an endemic US species to work with. -

John_IRCF: Now what people can do:

John_IRCF: only purchase captive bread species not species taken from the wild. GA

Scotty Allen: I will be vacationing in Ocho Rios for 10 days near end of this month. Is there anyone I can contact re a possible day trip to see Jamaican Iguanas?

John_IRCF: (sorry above bread = bred :) - No Scotty - but you can go to Hope Zoo in Jamaica GA

Scotty Allen: John, I was hoping to see wild specimens

sean46877: We are in Ohio and some day if you guys are in Columbus reptile show. We might be able to help.

John_IRCF: Scotty - write me offline and I will see if someone is going into the Hillshire Hills - Now to answer you Sean, ABsolutelly- we would love the help - or if you exhibit at the show - perhaps we can send you materials for the IRCF as well.

PHFaust: No matter who you are you can put out fliers at shows!!!

John_IRCF: Desiree for example is going to many shows in support of IRCF - a huge help there. GA

John_IRCF: YEA!!!!!!!! GA

sean46877: Ok Will put fliers. Thnks

brutus_nr: Exactly what do you need to do to be a member? Can anyone join? And how do you join?

John_IRCF: Anyone can be a member. All it takes is $25 per year. You can join at: www.ircf.org - follow the membership links - we take credit cards, paypal, checks, money orders, even cash :)

caesar_nr: Do you do anything like Ebay store or auctions or anything like that to help raise funds? And where exactly do funds go to?

Desiree_nr: Side note for Sean re:; shows. Please contact me offline at des@ircf.org as I do the Mid-West and East Coast shows depending on my availibility to travel.

John_IRCF: We just - and I mean just put up an auction site. www.ircf.org/auction - currrently we have one section for supporting the ISG - and we are building donations for the IRCF

John_IRCF: We need donations and bidders. - go check it out - it really turned out great. GA

caesar_nr: what is ISG?

John_IRCF: World Conservation Uniion - Species Survival Commission - Iguana Specialist Group.

caesar_nr: Thanks!

John_IRCF: Basically a group of professionals to save iguanas of all types. GA

PHNubila: John, what is the current status of the palearis project? Any new news?

John_IRCF: Right now we are working with locals to curb hunting (bush meat) which is getting good response. Our partners in GUA are working for cites protection. GA

John_IRCF: In regards to Palearis

PHNubila: thanks, John

John_IRCF: with the poaching of palearis, authorities have since been alerted and now looking at local communities to make sure that no more are taken out. GA

PHFaust: John how is the project going in Guatamala now that the land has been purchased.. And I cant remember the partners in that project, who are they again?

PHFaust: Specifically project heloderma

John_IRCF: We have secured the first piece of land and looking at purchasing a second plot.

John_IRCF: The project is in partnership with Zootropics, IRCF and Zoo Atlanta

varnyard: How is the gharial project going

John_IRCF: We are monitoring the situation and aligning ourselves with Gharial Conservation Alliance - which is spearheading the efforts there. Still touchy situation GA

Slacker6848: Regarding the auction portal, what kind of donations can we contribute?

John_IRCF: Really just about anything that could be of interest and use to people. We began with books - but now we have a tool set, a tripod, pictures, travel journals. If you have a car - now that would be cool to put up :) GA

John_IRCF: Even vacation spots, gift cards, etc. We can use it all GA

PHNubila: John, I'm sorry to bring this up but I'm wondering if any arrests were made on GC regarding the massacre?

John_IRCF: Sad subject. Painfully no. We do continue to push and keep it in the spotlight so it does not get forgotten. The Cayman govt is in transition - with the new members will be brought up to speed with this so it does not go away. GA

John_IRCF: We really want resolution on this matter GA

Slacker6848: How bad was the population at QEII effected by the massacre, now that there has been time to reflect on things and look a head.

John_IRCF: There was no effect on the breeding program as there were enough 2nd generation founders so it did not hurt the program But those that were murdered were being looked at being release after being in captifity for so long. --as an early retirement.

John_IRCF: Had the murders occurred in 2001- 2003 we never would have been able to recover the blue iguana. GA

Stuey_nr: Not really a question just a comment (Hi John).To follow up on the changes since the incident on GCM, we now have had to fence the whole breeding facility. Sad that the actions of the few ruin the enjoyment of others.

John_IRCF: Yes the fences have been constructed and yes it is so very sad. Truly unbelieveable

PHFaust: Everyone Stuey is Stu Petch from QEII

John_IRCF: HI Stu :)

Stuey_nr: Hi John!! :)

Stuey_nr: I heard on the grapevine that the Blues are no longer the most endangered lizard. Is this true and if so, which is?

John_IRCF: As for cyclura goes, the Jamaican is the most endangered. But the new "PINK" iguana from the galapagos seems to be the most endangered now. G

John_IRCF: Still some unknowns about Ctenosaura - they could be in worse trouble then originally thought - assessments need to be made to get a handle on the existing population. GA

Austin-1: Ok, so here's my question: John - do you really think that all these isolated little conservation efforts are going to cut it? I mean, socalled 'progress' will still march on and all of our daily lives (including us conservationists) still are progressively draining natural ecosystems all over the world. Do you really think we can continue down this path, and, if not, what in your mind is the solution?

John_IRCF: No question that it is an uphill battle. Programs that we look at such as the blue and species in GUA have a good chance of survival. There are situations where it is extremely difficult to make headway for the long term.

John_IRCF: For example, in Jamaica it appears the key to saving the iguana is for relocation to another island

John_IRCF: But we cannot give up no matter the tough obstacles and situation GA

John_IRCF: other input...

John_IRCF: the GUA beaded lizard has been analyzed as a full species and we will be publishing info on that soon.

desiree_IRCF_nr: Will there be IRCF coordinated volunteer work for Project Heloderma and Project Palearis in the near future?

John_IRCF: We hope so. Our first step is to establish a breeding facility which we now have funds to break ground. Once we start workiing, then there is a good chance we can bring volunteers to help with construction and carry on with a similar program that we did with the blue iguana program

John_IRCF: voluneers are a vital part to helping us to succeed GA

Austin-1: Yes, but what about the general direction of human 'progress' - we will continue to deforest, pollute, etc., untill there's nothing else to destroy? Will we really change our lives fudementally, or just continue fighting the battles but losing the war?

John_IRCF: With more information comes more awareness. As land is destroyed, there is a new awareness that is happening that flora and fauna is becoming more appreciated these days.

John_IRCF: It is not an option to give up

John_IRCF: Conservation actions and efforts currently actually are making an impact currently

PHFaust: I think I shall have the final questions john before we let you have the rest of your evening to yourself. You mentioned that Iguana was going full color, is there another change for that as well that will reflect the organization as a whole?

John_IRCF: No organization changes. As for th ejournal, there will be a title change. As everyone, we are experiencing the economic woes - so times are tough -

PHFaust: What is the new name?

John_IRCF: As the economic situation improves, we are interested in expaniding our support

John_IRCF: for programs that can show good potentiol for success. GA

John_IRCF: Conservation and Natural History of Reptiles - it will be tagged as IRCF Journal

PHFaust: John (and Sandy and Des) is there anything you all would like to add in closing?

John_IRCF: We are open to hear from people

John_IRCF: both comments and improvement recomendations

John_IRCF: as we do our best to bring people together for a common mission

John_IRCF: So please keep communicating with us

desiree_IRCF_nr: Many thanks to Jeff and the KS crew for their support of IRCF, esp at Pomona and the upcoming TX show. I hope you meet some of you on the 2009 show circuit, and see old faces again!

John_IRCF: I second that - Jeff and KS have been extremely supportive.

John_IRCF: I would like to thank everyone for their time on this Sunday night to join us. We appreciate all that everyone does to help support and promote the IRCF.

PHFaust: Our pleasure John.... :)

PHFaust: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us here at all the Kingsnake.com communities, we want to thank you for taking your time to chat with us. Transcripts will be posted with in a few days. Once again, Thank you again John! To learn more about the IRCF and its memberships, please visit www.ircf.org




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