Cross illegal exotic pets off your shopping list

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Pirhanas don't make good pets
If you think an exotic animal like a monkey, alligator, or piranha would make a great pet or holiday gift, think again. Massachusetts has very strict regulations governing the possession of both native and exotic wildlife by the average citizen. "Many people assume that any animal they can purchase in another state or over the Internet is legal to possess in Massachusetts," says MassWildlife Assistant Director Dr. Tom French, "This is simply not true. Our regulations are restrictive to the point that we publish only what you may possess, rather than what you may not. Our goal with these regulations is to protect both the interests of wildlife and the public." French recommends doing business with established and reputable pet shops rather than surfing the Internet or scanning the classifieds where sellers are not necessarily concerned with or aware of the laws that might affect potential buyers. "Store owners keep up with the laws," French notes. "The store owners were an effective lobby for making domestic ferrets a legal pet in Massachusetts and know their livelihood depends on doing business by the book. They'll be happy to sell you reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and mammals that conform to state laws, and they'll tell you if something you ask about is illegal." An abstract of the regulation, titled Keeping Captive/Exotic Wildlife is available in the Wildlife area of the MassWildlife website www.mass.gov/masswildlife or send a self addressed business sized envelope to: Exemption List, MassWildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westboro, MA 01581. The Exemption list is composed of those species which do not require a permit for possession. Only museums, nature centers or educational institutions are granted permits for non-exempt species.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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