Concerns Grow Over Florida's "Jurassic Park" Bill
Posted March 15, 2012 05:35 am
By
Stephanie Carroll Carson
TAMPS, FL - Living next to a state-owned park in Florida might lead its neighbors to expect they would be living next to native species. However, they might see more exotic critters if a bill passed on Friday by the Florida Legislature is signed into law.
HB 1117, known as the Jurassic Park Bill, would
allow 16 state zoos and aquariums to lease state-owned
land to conduct research on animals including giraffes,
zebras and rhinos.
The bill's supporters say it will help preserve
endangered species in places such as Africa. However,
Laurie MacDonald, Defenders of Wildlife's Florida
director, questions their reasoning.
"I am just astonished people who care about conservation
of species on other continents would want to put
non-natives on our public lands."
MacDonald and other opponents of the bill say allowing
the non-native animals will endanger other species and
pose some property risks, as well as placing additional
demands on the state's wildlife resource employees at a
time when funding is scarce.
Dave Sumpter, who heads the group Wildlands
Conservation, is concerned that allowing exotic species
to be housed on public lands also will disturb long-term
plans to link the natural travel corridors for native
species such as bears - or even lure native species into
problem behaviors.
"If you have a block of land that's got to be contained
specifically to hold zebras, it also won't allow for
passing of our native species, like deer."
The Jurassic Park Bill also allows for exotic,
non-native birds. Sumpter notes the inability to contain
winged animals means they're likely to escape the
designated habitat. Opponents also question why public
lands should be available where private lands could be
used instead.
The bill now goes to the governor's desk.