Nevada OKs ban on reptile collection
By Ben Botkin, Las Vegas Review-Journal
CARSON CITY — The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners has permanently banned the commercial collection of reptiles in the Silver State.
The state commission’s 6-1 decision, made during its Saturday meeting, effectively ends Nevada’s policy of allowing unlimited commercial reptile collecting. The decadeslong policy set the state apart from its neighbors in the West, alarming conservationists and state wildlife officials who are concerned about the effect on reptile populations.
The Center for Biological Diversity pushed for a complete ban, sending state wildlife officials a letter signed by four dozen scientists.