USFWS – Ensure Protection of the Alligator Lizards at the CITES Meeting

It seems like so many species of wildlife is in peril for one reason or another, usually due to human interactions and without protection, will soon be extremely endangered.  Such is the case of the alligator lizards that are predominantly found in areas of Mexico.  They are extremely endangered as stated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  You can read more about these lizards, their habit and threats at http://www.arkive.org/bromeliad-arboreal-alligator-lizard/abronia-taeniata/  & https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=E5768E0C58B5362504EE2E2647DF87D6.app224a?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3091&s_src=3WDE1610A1XX1&s_subsrc=071116_ADVACTFF_cites_nondonor&autologin=true&utm_campaign=CITESA2D&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nondonors

There are several varieties of alligator lizards that face a threat of extinction, mostly due to the pet trade.  They are very vulnerable and overexploited.  The alligator lizards have generally shorter bodies and long tails.  Although they are small creatures, they get their names from their extremely powerful jaws and thick scales on their bodies.  They can come in a variety of colors and have some stripes and bands horizontally across their bodies’, with colors more prominent in the juvenile.  Along with overexploitation of these creatures through illegal collection for the international pet trade, a huge threat to these animals is the destruction of their habitat.

My effort in this petition is to urge the USFWS to take a strong stand to help promote the listing of the alligator lizards at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in September and ensure that they are given the protection they need to keep them from the brink of extinction.  You can help me with this effort by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own thoughts and ideas for the protection of wildlife like these unique little lizards.