Nevada should ban the commercial collection of reptiles

The commercial collection of reptiles is an abhorrent practice (“Leapin’ lizards: Reptile collection limits possible,” Tuesday Review-Journal). First, animals are removed from their homes — against their will and often forcibly. Then they are sold into the pet trade and a life of captivity and premature death.

I cherish the reptiles of the Mojave Desert — I think a lot of people do. But each year, at least 15,000 reptiles, and probably more, suffer this fate in Southern Nevada. Why? So that a few people can make a living. There are other ways to make a living that don’t involve the exploitation of our incredible reptiles.

Removing animals from their home and dooming them to captivity and death does nothing for our society. No one should be allowed to steal these lives away from our public lands. The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners should ban the commercial collection of reptiles.