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 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at: http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/wfrank/jacksonv.htm -----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.