On Sunday, May 2, the herp society took a road trip down to Golden Meadow to assist Jackie and Kirby with emptying their damaged swimming pool.  Their property was damaged during hurricane Katrina and has since become overgrown haven for local wildlife.  We helped them pump the pool out, retrieving 18 red ears and a common snapper in the process.  All of the turtles were relocated to a nearby bayou.  We also had a good time searching their property, and the property of a neighbor for herps.  Besides the countless tree frogs, skinks, and anoles, two speckled kings were collected.  Overall, it made for a fun day.

Click here for the photo gallery

Hey everyone!   Just trying to get the word out that we’re still moving along with this year’s activities. But first, let’s recap some recent events. On May 2, several members rescued trapped turtles out of an abandoned swimming pool in Golden Meadow, LA (see pictures on the website). On June 5 and 6, the LGCHS manned a table at the Gila Productions reptile show, held at the Alario Center in Westwego, LA. On June 27 we had a meeting at the Nims Center in Audubon Zoo, with guests Joe and Joy Lewis, who represent LARK (Louisiana Association of Reptile Keepers). On July 3 and 4 the LGCHS manned a table at the first Repticon Reptile Show in Louisiana, held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, LA. And the following weekend, the LGCHS was given a tour “behind the scenes” of the Audubon Zoo’s reptile exhibit.

In August, several LGCHS members attended the Daytona Reptile show. Mitch Allen had a table with a wide variety of captive-bred snakes. Troy Day and I stopped in St. Augustine to visit the famous Burmese Tortoise breeder, Vic Morgan. We then traveled to Orlando to attend part of the TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance) Conference, after which we attended Turtle Talk night in Daytona. We also attended the Saturday night auction, which benefited USARK (United States Assoc. of Reptile Keepers).

September is still up in the air. I would like to see if there is any interest in visiting the Insta-Gator ranch across the lake. The baby gators should be hatching now. If there is enough interest, maybe we can get a group rate. Entrance fees would have to be paid by the attendees.

October we will have a cookout sponsored by the LGCHS, date TBA. You will have to RSVP as soon as we set the date so we can buy an appropriate amount of food and drink.

November’s meeting will be our annual meeting and election of board members. It will be held at the Kenner Rivertown location, date TBA. It will also feature our annual Swap Meet, where members bring their extra reptiles to show, tell, swap or sell. You must be an active member to participate in the election and the swap meet.

December we will have our annual “Pot Luck Christmas Dinner” again in Rivertown, again date TBA. Sign up to bring a casserole or other fixins’ for a good time to reminisce on 2010 and look ahead to 2011. We will also have a “Round Robin” gift swap, where you may bring a small reptile-related gift (approx $10 value) to exchange with other members.

So, keep all of this in your head for now. As soon as the board can set the dates for these events, we will email everyone. Thanks for joining, renewing and attending.

Stephen Castellanos
LGCHS Secretary 2010