Tarantulas.co.za's Policy on Protected Species

The larger Theraphosidae (baboon spiders) are in great demand as pets and are consequently regarded as commercially threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (De Wet & Schoonbee, 1991). It is suspected that the demand for South African theraphosid spiders has increased since the Mexican red-kneed tarantula was placed on the Appendix II of the Conservation of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). In February 1987 three theraphosid genera Ceratogyrus, Harpactira and Pterinochilus were added to Schedule VII of the Transvaal Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1983 as Protected Invertebrate Animals. At present all the Provinces of South Africa follow this recommendation as a guideline and permits are needed to collect and transport the above genera in South Africa (Dippenaar-Schoeman, 2002).

It is illegal in South Africa to keep the aforementioned species without permits.

For our international members should you have any of the mentioned species please clearly state your location to avoid any confusion.

Trading in or advertising of indigenous/banned species of any kind is strictly prohibited.

In contravention and/or violation of the above, a member will receive one warning via a private message from any one of the administrators.

Should correction not be made by said member, the member will receive a final warning.
Should correction not be made by said member, the member will be banned from this forum.

P.S - It was just brought under my attention that the newest list though includes Augacephalus, Harpactirella, Idiothele added to the Ceratogyrus, Pterinochilus and Harpactira.

TH

Thanks, very nice.

What are the chances we could get/make a list for the different areas - SA, UK, EU, USA ect - of the different 'banned' Ts.

I'd say great. We would however need the resources. If we can get the legislation/lists from the particular players we can just attach it here.

TH

Silver_Apocalypse wrote:
Thanks, very nice.

What are the chances we could get/make a list for the different areas - SA, UK, EU, USA ect - of the different 'banned' Ts.

There are no Ts that are banned in the UK (or in the EU as far as i'm aware). I don't believe there are any banned Ts in the US either although there is probably one backward state that has an obscure law requiring you to own at least 3 guns and be married to your sister before you can keep a P. murinus or something.

Some states in the US do have laws procluding them from keeping the T's native to their region. ill get the link and update it here.

the new CITES list has a full list of prohibited and endangered species that can be filtered per country ... its sad to see how much of our fauna and flora is on there now across all 3 categories.

Link to CITES list: Just use the drop down to select the country in question...

www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html

Can you perhaps attach the list RaVeN?

TH

@ animal : you did not mention Brachionopus. so is it not protected?

Will try to find out for you.

My advice on the interim - locals - Steer clear, avoid at all costs!

TH

There is a list here of the CITES protected species of tarantula. But just because they are CITES protected doesn't mean you can't keep them.

Waylander ... can you please elaborate on your interest in this species lol ...

Just confirmed - Any local Theraphosid require a permit.

TH

I kept some while i was in the UK, and they are very popular as most baboon spiders are in Europe. i also received some "Brachionopus" from a Dutch keeper and i can tell you that they were defiantly not Brachionopus, more like H.lightfooti.

So my interest is more around the lack of information and identification process in the field of Baboon spiders and that any loop hole will probably be exploited.

Any Tom, Dick or Hans can go collect Harpactirella and say they are Brachionopus

@ animal: will defiantly stay away from locals, I like my T’s too much to risk them. Including my former OBT who is not magically transformed into a P. Metallica