Looking for leaf cutter ants

[Trace]

The Henry Doorly zoo is searching for a nice colony of leaf cutter ants to display in our new butterfly and insect pavillion. The building opens in just a few weeks and we aren't having very much luck finding anything. We would prefer Atta texana which range into the south west United States. If you have any experience digging up ant colonies we would pay top dollar for a starter colony and queen, you could almost name your price! Please feel free to email me with any questions. Tracehardin@yahoo.com

 

[Kevmaster06]

you might have more luck in the classified section...

 

[Anh]

i dont think anyone from a big zoo would have a yahoo email... just saying.

 

[mr.wilderness]

maybe he's working freelance for them

 

[What]

Well if he was working freelance, he wouldnt have the permits to get the ant shipment arranged now would he?

 

[Anh]

yes.. plus atta texana are easily obtainable during mating flight.. all he has to do is call the local entomologist in nevada or texas and fly over there to get them.. cost less than 400 dollars which im sure a zoo can fund.

 

[Galapoheros]

Then again it could be someone that works at a zoo that agreed with a couple of others that it be nice to have this species. But it's not legal to ship, is it? Maybe use the email and request certified exemption or licensing papers to ship. Then ask for $3000, ha!

 

[Trace]

All the proper permits through the USDA and Aphis have been processed. Before you start casting doubt on someone on a public forum maybe you should try privately emailing them. The new facility is opening in 4 weeks and a flighted female with a little bit of brood would make a pretty awful exhibit for opening day, don't you think?