Axolotls are a temperate species, so the chance of them even surviving in the wild in Singapore is very low, breeding will be even more difficult. The ban is a blanket one extending to all ambhibians except for the whites tree frog. The ban is a matter of convenience, AVA doesn't really care very much about invasive species other than that local conservation groups make noise about, also what I have said here is simply of a personal opinion.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and he will drink beer while getting sunburnt.
By simply looking at popular behaviour, it is clear and obvious that research is not a staple in Singaporean citizens, needless to say, it is probably also lacking in many of our institutions. This is why I support the government's policy, as inadequate as it is, to hold on to banning reptiles and amphibians. Upon access to most of us here, we will have another cruel and uncontrolled pet trade.
Yeah, I guess it's unlikely that axolotls would be able to establish themselves successfully if released into Singapore's freshwaters, but I suppose it's the whole paranoia about invasive reptiles and amphibians. I mean, the only turtles we see in urban ponds and canals these days are foreign red-eared sliders and Chinese softshells, and the American bullfrog is popping up in many places. Of course, there are all the idiots who dump their unwanted pet turtles (including snapping turtles!), or those ecologically ignorant 'fang sheng' people who release large numbers of bullfrogs.
And yes, I personally feel that AVA is taking the easy route, by simply having a blanket ban on all amphibians and reptiles other than that small handful listed. Instead of pushing for responsible herp ownership, it's simply banning everything, even species that have been bred in captivity for decades and hence aren't being harvested from the wild anymore. And it's not like it's doing anything about regulating and monitoring the trade and movement of red-eared sliders and American bullfrogs, which are already present (established?) in many places, and are among the most invasive. Still, that doesn't seem to stop dwarf clawed frogs, fire-bellied toads, and Japanese newts from popping up occasionally in the LFS.
Besides, we already have so many irresponsible and negligent people who probably should never be allowed to keep a hamster or budgie, let alone a dog or cat. If it was legal to keep exotic reptiles and amphibians in Singapore, I would be worried about all the poor animals dying from general negligence and ignorance as to their specific needs. Either that, or all the exotic animals being released into our forests and reservoirs. You only need to look at Florida, where even the wilderness areas have been invaded by all sorts of exotics.
That is an eloquent response. Appreciable. We will have to live with this ban until Singaporeans step up into the role of becoming research addicts, reptiles and amphibians are a lovely group of animals meant for pet keepers cut out to keep them, due to their pure ability in either becoming invasive, or having specific requirements.
I have seen people reject what is known as the "American/European" style of keeping. That is pure foolishness and a rejection of what is already researched, established and a viable standard.
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