parliament. Using that framework, Oenpelli Pythons
would have been quite simply added to the list of species
able to be kept, had I sold them when I first bred them.
But I thought I was being responsible in raising them
until they were as bulletproof as possible. By the time I
got them to that stage, NSW policy makers had
implemented an indefinite ban on any new species in
captivity. This was with the knowledge - and, I was led
to believe, the assent - of the authorities who originally
professed support for my project.
So let me turn to the premise of the title of this article.
Community conservation embodies the idea that we as a
community can have real input and achieve real out-
comes in conservation issues. Yes, it must tick all the
right boxes for capture, keeping and breeding, but more
importantly it must have the wholehearted and genuine
endorsement of the relevant authorities. At present, if
you go out on a limb, spend heaps out of your own
pocket on a worthwhile project (because no department
will), and then put all your energies into making it
succeed, make sure you do so with some trepidation,
because the rug may be firmly pulled from under you.
Just because people in government tell you it is valuable
and worthy and will receive their support doesn’t mean
that they won’t do a backflip whenever it suits them, and
without having the courtesy to let you know. Politics is
all about window dressing and propaganda, and this is
also evident in the officious promulgation of erroneous
government research into the status of the Oenpelli
Python. But that’s far from constructive in driving
favourable conservation outcomes. Why can’t we all
work together to conserve both habitat and biota in a
cooperative manner, rather than the divisive ‘us and
them’ mentality that this project has brought out
between the wider community and the bureaucrats
supposedly devoted to public service?
I have for sale a number of juvenile Oenpelli Pythons
that are from what I believe to be a genuine community
conservation project. It does not cost any government a
single dollar and has resulted in the significant achieve-
ment of breeding an animal that was not even part of a
governmental conservation program. Please help to
lobby your local authorities and members of parliament
to get this current stupidity changed so that others can
enjoy these amazing and fairly rare critters, while at the
same time helping underprivileged people in remote
Australia and, more importantly, practicing community
conservation – not just being told what to do!
For information on the babies please
email me (Gavin Bedford) at
[email protected]
They are $15,000 a pair and all eating
and growing well. This species is
different to any other python I have kept
– a challenge but one that is infinitely
rewarding. They are very alert and
inquisitive, and change colour between
day and night. Gentle giants with real
charisma!