In 2005, the FWC formed a technical assistance
group, consisting of 11 experts, to review captive wildlife
regulations and address current captive wildlife issues.
Members of the group represented all facets of the
captive wildlife industry and wildlife rehabilitation. Their
backgrounds also included experience in animal welfare,
disease/bioterrorism, emergency response and local government.
The group completed its work in two phases from
2005 to 2007. Work completed in Phase 1 has resulted in many
revisions to Florida Statutes and
Commission rules governing captive wildlife that went into effect
in 2008. Work completed in Phase 2 is currently under review
and may result in further changes to the captive wildlife
rules.
Captive Wildlife Technical Assistance Group
Members
Ms. Julie Alexa Strauss -
Corporate Counsel for FELD Entertainment, Inc. (Ringling Bros. and
Barnum & Bailey Circus)
Dr. Terri Parrot-Nenezian -
Veterinarian specializing in wildlife and exotics; Wildlife
Rehabilitator; Exhibition/Sale Licensee with authorizations for
most Class I and II families
Mr. Dan Martinelli - Treasure
Coast Wildlife Hospital, Executive Director; Wildlife
Rehabilitator; Exhibition/Sale Licensee with authorizations for
most Class I and II families; Venomous Reptile Licensee
Mr. Eugene Bessette - Ophiological
Services, Founder and Director; Venomous Reptile Licensee;
Exhibit/Sale Licensee for Class III reptiles
Mr. Joe Christman - Curator of
Mammals for Disney's Animal Kingdom
Dr. Leroy Coffman - Veterinarian;
Former State Veterinarian and Director of Animal Industry with the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Mr. Ken Johnson - Humane Society
of the United States
Dr. Susan Clubb - Veterinarian;
Co-owner of Hurricane Aviaries; Staff Veterinarian for Parrot
Jungle Island
Mr. Bill Armstrong - Hillsborough
County Animal Control, Director; Florida Animal Control
Association, President; County Emergency Response Coordinator for
Emergency Support Function (ESF) 17 (Animal Issues)
Mr. R. Donavan Smith - Close Up
Creatures, Inc., Founder and Director; NGALA Private Reserve,
Founder; Exhibit/Sale licensee with authorizations for elephants,
hippos, felids, crocodilians, and ratites
Ms. Gloria Noble Johnson - Cougar
Ridge Education Center, Inc., Founder; Exhibit/Sale Licensee with
authorizations for Class I and Class II cats
Mrs. Kathy Stearns - Stearns
Zoological Rescue and Rehab, Founder; Wildlife Rehabilitator;
Exhibit/Sale Licensee with authorizations for Class I bears and
cats, Class II primates and cats, and Class III
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