The Manus Island Green Tree Snail has been listed as "Endangered" since
1975 when CITES came into being (in Appendix II which regulates transport).
Since Papua New Guinea is a signatory of CITES, I am assuming that
it was included at that countries request since they are the only country
where the species is found.
 
I'm quite sure that non-signatories of the convention have no laws in
regards to possessing or transporting this species. The species is of course
not listed as endangered by the United States --- we don't have any -- nor
do
any other countries, and therefore it would not be listed as endangered.
However,
we are a signatory of the Convention (and considering the Lacey Act), we are
obliged to enforce the law(s).  Are we to second guess the people who should
know best as to the snails viability -- the country who possess all of the
living specimens?  Legally, we don't appear to have that option.
 
Bill Frank
1865 Debutante Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32246-8645
Phone/FAX: (904) 724-5326
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-----Original Message-----
From: wtolman <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, February 15, 1999 12:32 PM
Subject: Green Snail
 
 
Most of our endangered laws are presented to law makers by one mans
opinion.The law makers dont have the foggiest idea about what the man is
talking about ( But it sounds good ) so they pass it without calling anyone
to
come to its defense. I have worked with aquatics for 40 years and have seen
this happen many times to shells, fish and plants. In the case of the
beautiful green tree snail it comes from mountains of Manus Island of the
coast of Papua New Guinea. These snails are not on the endangered  list of
many countries .In Papua New Guinea they appear by the basket fulls in the
markets.They are white yellow and green ones in the same basket. This snail
would appear to be endangerd during the dry season because it hides and is
very hard to find but when it rains WOW.        Glenn Tolman.