The California ban on crocodile and alligator products becomes effective on 1 January 2020, making it a misdemeanor to import, display or sell crocodile or alligator products for commercial purposes.
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American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Since 1970, California law (Penal Code Section 653o) banned the import or sale of crocodile or alligator parts and products (e.g., leather, handbags, shoes, meat, etc.) in an effort to protect these species from overhunting and trafficking. During the 1950s and 1960s, the American crocodile and American alligator were overhunted to near extinction and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed them on the endangered species list in 1967.
In the early 1970s, the State of Louisiana developed a sustainable management program to protect, research and manage the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) through alligator farming. Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana established a rigorous survey method to estimate and monitor alligator population trends. Over three decades, it is well documented that Louisiana alligator farming generated significant conservation gains. Two million wild American alligators survive today, and millions of acres of natural habitats are conserved, including natural wetland and marsh habitats.
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A hand-stitched farmed alligator strap
As a result of alligator farming, since 2006, California lawmakers carved out an exemption and sunset clause that allowed the import and sales of crocodile or alligator products to continue primarily due to the idea that the livestock production of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) and American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) could significantly assist conservation objectives.
In fact, the positive impact of wildlife farming resulted in the delisting of the American alligator as an endangered species in 1987, and the delisting of the American crocodile as an endangered species in 2007. Today, alligator farming is a large, growing industry in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and Texas. These states harvest American alligator hides and raw meat to generate over $60 million, annually.
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The sunset clause in California's last crocodile and alligator exemption expires at the end of this year, and all recent efforts to extend the ban have failed. California law shall ban not only crocodile and alligator skins, but also iguana, python, kangaroo, caiman, hippopotamus, and exotic lizard skins.
According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, California represents 30% of the alligator market in the world. Therefore, the impact of the ban is significant.
Earlier today, both the Louisiana Attorney General and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued statements that they intend to sue the State of California over its ban on alligator.
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Since 1970, California law (Penal Code Section 653o) banned the import or sale of crocodile or alligator parts and products (e.g., leather, handbags, shoes, meat, etc.) in an effort to protect these species from overhunting and trafficking. During the 1950s and 1960s, the American crocodile and American alligator were overhunted to near extinction and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed them on the endangered species list in 1967.
In the early 1970s, the State of Louisiana developed a sustainable management program to protect, research and manage the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) through alligator farming. Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana established a rigorous survey method to estimate and monitor alligator population trends. Over three decades, it is well documented that Louisiana alligator farming generated significant conservation gains. Two million wild American alligators survive today, and millions of acres of natural habitats are conserved, including natural wetland and marsh habitats.
A hand-stitched farmed alligator strap
As a result of alligator farming, since 2006, California lawmakers carved out an exemption and sunset clause that allowed the import and sales of crocodile or alligator products to continue primarily due to the idea that the livestock production of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) and American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) could significantly assist conservation objectives.
In fact, the positive impact of wildlife farming resulted in the delisting of the American alligator as an endangered species in 1987, and the delisting of the American crocodile as an endangered species in 2007. Today, alligator farming is a large, growing industry in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and Texas. These states harvest American alligator hides and raw meat to generate over $60 million, annually.
The sunset clause in California's last crocodile and alligator exemption expires at the end of this year, and all recent efforts to extend the ban have failed. California law shall ban not only crocodile and alligator skins, but also iguana, python, kangaroo, caiman, hippopotamus, and exotic lizard skins.
According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, California represents 30% of the alligator market in the world. Therefore, the impact of the ban is significant.
Earlier today, both the Louisiana Attorney General and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued statements that they intend to sue the State of California over its ban on alligator.