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Citizen-Proposed Issue Paper CITIZEN-PROPOSED ISSUE PAPER Date: 11/13/16 ISSUE: Addition of Macropus species to unregulated list DISCUSSION (FACTS AND FIGURES, EXPLANATION OF ISSUE): See attached WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE? HAVE YOU COMMUNICATED WITH ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES? WHAT INPUT HAVE YOU RECEIVED? This is an addition of species that is not popular in the private ownership world, sue to hardiness and cost so not much interest in other private ownership ALTERNATIVES: PLEASE INDICATE THE PROBABLE OUTCOME IF THIS PETITION IS ACCEPTED, AS WELL AS THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVES TO THIS PETITION: I would be able to add the new species to my educational program, teaching people about more than just one species of kangaroos and more about conservation of all animals PETITION PROPOSED BY: Carolyn J Lantz PETITION WRITTEN BY: Carolyn J Lantz DATE SENT TO THE COMMISSION: 11/13/16 Unregulated Wildlife Citizen Petition Nov 13, 2016 This is a request to add three (3) species of Macropus to the unregulated list of animals for the State of Colorado. All three of these species are in the same family (Marcropus) as the Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), Bennett wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus), wallaroo (Macropus robustus), dama wallaby (Macropus eugenii), and swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) that are already approved for private ownership in the state of Colorado. Statement of basis and purpose I have been a USDA Licensed exhibitor in the state of Colorado for close to 25 years, the last 10 years have been with raising the current unregulated species of Macropus without any incidents or violations. I feel there would be no increase in private ownership by adding the additional species as these are less hardy and more expensive to purchase than the current more popular species. My facility is already set up with fully heated barns and double/triple fenced enclosures to prevent any incidents of escape. My program is an educational based program to educate on the conservation of animals in Australia and the world, and feel the addition of the new species is very important to my program. None of the animals are ever taken from the wild or imported from Au. Thank you in advance for reviewing and considering my requests. Carolyn J Lantz 1. The scientific and common name or names including subspecies. EASTERN GREY KANGAROO ( MACROPUS GIGANTEUS) WESTERN GREY KANGAROO (MARCROPUS FULIGINOSUS) AGILE WALLABY (MARCROPUS AGILIS) 2. Habitat requirements and limitations, including an assessment of its survivability in Colorado's native habitats. Eastern Grey Kangaroo- species found in the forest, woodlands and scrubland areas of eastern Australia Western Grey Kangaroo-species is endemic to southern Australia to the west Agile Wallaby-Generally found along rivers and streams in open woodland and grassland habitats All of these species are grazers found in the more arid parts of Australia, while they could survive short periods of colder weather they would not be able to survive a full winter in Colorado without adequate shelter. 3. The potential of the species to negatively impact or destroy native vegetation. As a general rule, kangaroos and sheep eat different plant species, so they are not often in direct competition if there is plenty of food. Kangaroos eat young green shoots high in protein - they are not as good as sheep are at eating and digesting dry grass or fiber. In dry periods, however, kangaroos can sometimes reduce the amount of feed available to livestock. Considering we would not have the large wild populations they have in Australia we feel there would be no detrimental effect on native vegetation 4. All known associated diseases, including zoonotic diseases and parasites. Cryptosporidiosis Cause: is a coccidian protozoa, Cryptosporidium, that is found in water contaminated by feces. Common in all livestock. Known prevention is to wash hands. 5. Predatory behavior, including assessment of the anticipated effect predation by the species would have on native wildlife and domestic animals. Kangaroos are not a predatory animal, they are considered prey. The native wildlife such as coyotes, and other meat eaters would chase them down for food. In Australia the only predators they have are the Dingoes and eagles. In domestic animals it would be the house dog again chasing the kangaroos. 6. An assessment of the potential of the species to damage or destroy agricultural crops or rangeland. None due to the fact that if there was an escape it would be a minimal amount of animals. Not having large mobs like they do in Australia they would not be able to destroy or damage agricultural corps. The fact that they can only have one baby a year the rate of growth and survivability for the species through a Colorado winter would be very little. 7. An assessment of the ability of the species to breed with native wildlife and domestic animals. Each species of Macropus only breeds with its own species. IE a red kangaroo will only breed with a red kangaroo. They have no interest in any other species of Macropus. These animals have a very unique chromosome system and would never be able to breed with anything native to the US or Colorado. 8. Fecundity and reproductive behavior. Macropus live in small mobs or groups of animals. Usually 1 male to several females. Female kangaroos in captivity became sexually mature at 15-20 months and males at about 2 years of age. The estrous cycle averaged 34-35 days in length and the gestation period was 33 days They breed once a year, producing an average of 1 baby at a time. Until the 1 baby leaves the pouch she will not produce another one. Sometimes it can be 1 baby every two to three years. 9. Assessment of the competition this species would have with native wildlife and domestic animals for food, water, and space. The small amount of kangaroos in Colorado would have no effect on the food, water and space with native wildlife or domestic animals found in Colorado. They would not survive a winter in Colorado in the wild 10. Information about the regulatory status of the species in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Idaho, and Montana Az.- No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials Nv- No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials Ut-Wallabies, wallaroos and kangaroos, (All species) family Macropodidae are prohibited for collection, importation and possession; Wy-Must apply for procession of wildlife permit Ch 10 No restriction on species all treated the same Ne- No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials Ks-No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials Ok-No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials NM-Considered Class IV Import - The importation of these species are prohibited for the general public but may be allowed for, scientific study, department approved restoration and recovery plans, zoological display, temporary events/entertainment, use as service animal or by a qualified expert. Id- No brush tailed possums allowed other than that no restrictions or permits needed for Macropus/Marsupials Mt- Wallabies Bennett and Tammar are non controlled animals- no permit needed. Wallaroos are a controlled animal Permit needed. Kangaroos prohibited 11. Information about the regulatory prohibitions of the species in any city or county within Colorado. Currently no rules against owning a Macropus /marsupial in any county as long as they are on the unregulated list. 12. Assessment of the "weediness" of the animal. The "weediness" of an animal shall be defined and assessed by the following criteria: : 1) Characterization of the aggressiveness of the animal Marsupials are primarily a flight animal, they will usually run away from humans rather than fight. Incidence of humans being attacked in the USA are extremely low. : 2) its ability to thrive in Colorado Marsupials are generally found in the arid areas of Australia and do not survive well in extreme cold without proper shelter. :3) its ability to disperse widely or pioneer Marsupials are grazers and a mob animal, they will stay together and graze slowly. : 4) its reproductive potential Marsupials will only breed with its own sub species and no way can breed with native Colorado wildlife. :5) its ability to adapt to other food sources (opportunistic feeding ability). Marsupials prefer grass but will also eat weeds, the amount they would eat compared to cattle or sheep is very little. Once feed is buried in snow they would not survive. 13. Cite whether the species is listed by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and if so, on which appendix. All three of the species are listed as least concern on the Red List Category and Criteria list. 14. An assessment of the potential for illegal trafficking of the species within the United States and internationally. Australia has very strict export laws in place. The three species listed in this petition, and the ones already approved in Colorado are the only species in the USA at this time. All of the species listed are already legally being sold here in the USA and internationally. All of the species currently in the USA have been bred and born in the USA since the 70's, There are breeders throughout the USA that raise these animals for zoos and conservation efforts to educate the plight of these animals in Au. While currently listed as Least concern at this time we all know how fast that can change. 15. An assessment of the impacts to wild populations of the species if legal possession and trade were allowed. There would be no impact to the wild populations of the species as Australia does not export any of the animals.
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