Prized possession

[Ceratogyrus]

Just got one of my prized spider possessions renewed.
With all the delays in our government departments and the postal strike, at least my permit to keep baboon spiders eventually arrived.
One of 2 of these belonging to hobbyists in South Africa.

 

[BossRoss]

How did you go about getting this permit? What are the costs and processes involved? What kind of turn around time does it take from application to approval?

I would love to keep some of the amazing South African Baboon spiders but have no idea where to start or how. Admittedly I have not done much research about it but where better to get the information that from the pro

 

[Ceratogyrus]

How did you go about getting this permit? What are the costs and processes involved? What kind of turn around time does it take from application to approval?

I would love to keep some of the amazing South African Baboon spiders but have no idea where to start or how. Admittedly I have not done much research about it but where better to get the information that from the pro

I used to do demonstrations at schools and shopping centers back in my young days. Used to do at least 2 a month for about 2 years. Eventually it was recommended that I apply for a permit so that I could display local baboon spiders too. Eventually applied for my permit in 1998 and have had it since then (Renewing it every year or 2).
Currently they are not issuing permits unless you have a great reason to do so (Research, education, etc), so not even worth applying unless you are willing to put in the hours free of charge to get a recommendation letter from a researcher.
The costs are minimal (Around R200 a renewal) and turn around time is typical government organization pace. I applied for the renewal in June (My permit expired in September), and I received it now, so not the speediest.

 

[spidey noob]

cant belive u need a permit to keep local spiders, i thought the uk had some silly rules lol

 

[MatthewM1]

Theres alot of laws likes that in the states too. Here in New York I can go out and collect a native amphibian(fishing license required, and a specific hunting season as well) and keep it, but to breed it would be illegal. But I can breed and sell any non native species without any kind of permits involved.

 

[Ceratogyrus]

The permit system was set up because a local was caught trying to export a few hundred adult female spiders out of the country for the pet trade

 

[spidey noob]

i can see the sence in needing a lience to collect animals from the wild !!! but not to keep them if captive bread.

 

[BossRoss]

...I used to do demonstrations at schools and shopping centers back in my young days...

Thanks for the great info!! Yip, I know how our government can be(I have firearms) so I understand. I like the idea- I create awareness where ever I go... My LPS considers me part of the furniture and when I am in their I help customers as if I were an employee(I get discounts here and there so I am not complaining). I might start looking at doing something like you mentioned.

i can see the sence in needing a lience to collect animals from the wild !!! but not to keep them if captive bread.

Well this was my initial thinking.... Surely if we had a local breeder who managed to breed these species/genus we should be allowed to keep them. Also remembering Ts are much more difficult to come by and catch say versus muscles or periwinkles which one could just pick off rocks at our coast line(I remember doing this as a kid and loved it and always ate myself silly) but now it is also illegal.

As for the local trying to export a few hundred... Well I have my opinions... But all I am willing to say on a public forum is "Death Penalty"