MAY 06, 2002

A GROUP of 60 people is forming a society to educate others about snakes and chameleons - and to lobby the authorities to revoke the ban on the keeping of exotic pets.

Led by landscape designer Xavier Lee, 24, they met in online chatrooms last August, and plan to register their society by early next year.

Mr Lee said: 'Not all exotic pets are dangerous, and we want the public to know this. Once people learn that not all of them are harmful, they'll be more receptive to the idea of keeping them.'

Animals such as ball pythons, leopard geckos, bearded dragons, whites' tree frogs and chameleons have been bred successfully in captivity overseas. 'It wouldn't be a problem to breed them here too, but of course, we need to do more research on this,' he said.

Among the society's plans are an interactive forum with experts on board and educational tours.

The ban on exotic pets here, and recent bad publicity in the media about people keeping such pets illegally, means the group has to work harder to push its case, said Mr Lee.

He added: 'We want to be serious and professional about this, so it'll take us some time to sort out the legal and environmental issues.'

But the group, which includes vets, accountants and teachers, is likely to face opposition if it moves beyond educational objectives into a lobby group.

The Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is sticking to its stance that having wild animals in homes will not be tolerated here. Said Mr K. Madhavan, its head of urban animal management: 'They pose a danger to the public and also to the person keeping them. We'd rather the society promote responsible pet ownership or take interest in environmental issues and the protection of endangered species.'

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is worried that people may not know how to take proper care of the animals or abandon them once the novelty of owning them has worn off.

Just last month, a slow loris confiscated from a pet shop had to have two root canals and four fillings done to its teeth at the zoo.

Its sharp teeth had been cut to prevent it from inflicting a painful bite. The teeth and sinus passages were infected, causing intense pain. It could have died from the infection.

But reptile lovers say the ban, which has a penalty of $1,000 for each animal caught, will not stop them.

Said a 26-year-old student who has two snakes and a tree frog: 'Is it wrong to have unusual taste? Just like any other responsible pet owner, I take very good care of them and they've never harmed my family.'

The group has approached overseas and local experts, university professors, and the Singapore Zoological Gardens for advice on how to set up the society.

Meanwhile, zoology graduate student Leong Tzi Ming, 29, whom the group has approached, said: 'Their plans are still premature and I've my reservations. They must do it as legally as possible. If not, the reputation of Singapore and the society will be marred.'

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