The exotic animal trade is a billion-dollar industry. Texas—which has almost no regulation of exotic animals—has always been a hotbed. The few laws Texas does have are rarely enforced. With such little oversight, animal experts and law enforcement officials say, the breeding and smuggling of exotic animals—tigers in particular—are booming in Texas. “It probably has the largest population of tigers in the country,” says Richard Farinato, a senior adviser with the Humane Society of the United States, “because there are a lot of animal breeders and a lot of animal dealers.”

It’s nearly impossible to know how many tigers and other exotic animals live in Texas because no state or federal agency tracks the number of animals in private ownership. Farinato can only guess at the number. Some animal experts estimate at least 3,000 tigers in the Lone Star State. That means more captive tigers live in Texas than prowl in the wild in India.

One thing is certain: With so many exotic animals, Texas is running out of zoos and sanctuaries that will take animals that are abandoned or seized in illegal smuggling rings (you can’t take tigers across the border without proper permits). The burgeoning tiger population has dangerous consequences for public safety—you could soon have a pet tiger living down the block—not to mention the health of animals forced to live in poor conditions.

http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2835

I have yet to almost run over a tiger in the road. Must be in West Texas.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Are you in Houston? My brother who lives in Clear Lake said he evacuated -- this the NASA rocket scientist mind you -- went to NW Houston to his in-laws. Man, when I evacuate I go at least 200 miles. F**k that.

That crosstown trek can make all the difference. They won't see storm surge up in NW Houston. High winds? Yes, but at least you don't have to worry about getting trapped in water.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

True dat. I think creek flooding is going to be worse then that storm in the 1990's, IIRC -- iIn which MD Anderson flooded.

What happens is when the storm surge advances up Galveston Bay it's height is greater than the flow-line elevation of the creeks. This is called a water dam. It holds the creek water back. Combine that with an expected 24 hr 8 - 12 inches of rainfall over the whole area. Some places may get as much as 2 ft in 24 hrs! The storm water will have nowhere to go somewhere and if it can't go down the creeks it will spread across the extremely flat landscape.

guess thats one way to control the pitbulls in the neighborhood!