Individuals who have invasive exotic pets should register them before August 3.

The current Royal Decree prohibits the possession of these species and the record will show that have been acquired before their entry into force.

The General Directorate of Nature Protection of the Canary Islands Government has made available to the public on its website, model responsible declaration to be completed by holders of invasive exotic pets to register them as provided Royal Decree 630/2013, of 2 August by the Spanish catalog of invasive alien species is regulated.

The link is available from the website of the Ministry of Education homepage, Universities and Sustainability of the Government of Canarias, www.gobiernodecanarias.org/ceus and only need to download the document, fill it and submit it at any registration office.

Pedro Cuesta, CEO of Nature Protection, these animals emphasizes on the necessity to register, “since Royal Decree prohibits the possession of these species and the record will show that have been acquired before their entry into force, with what the owners are legally backed”.

two decades it became fashionable to enjoy exotic pets ago, different, such as parakeets, pythons, guacamayos, iguanas, Florida turtles, Vietnamese pigs…

Voluntary or involuntary release of these pets has been responsible for the establishment of almost half of exotic vertebrates in the Canary Islands, even threatening our native biodiversity, either by its invasive behavior or the risk of genetic contamination.

Is the case, for example, Squirrels in Fuerteventura or California real snake in Gran Canaria, whose control requires an enormous investment in human resources and economic.

Since the law expressly prohibits and punishes harshly the introduction of these species into the wild, who wish to dispose of their copies should go to the island councils, where they will be informed of the specific collection center on each island. In any case, owners must immediately report the accidental release of these animals.

On the other hand, Pedro Cuesta reports, “We are working on the rules of compulsory sterilization, and the most appropriate marking systems, as microchips, tattoos, banding, etc.”