Originally Posted by Bob-a-rama

Sadly, we didn't ban the exotic pet trade here in Florida in the 1950s. I grew up going to the glades. In ponds where I used to see thousands of wading birds (no exaggeration) you are now lucky to see six. Between land development, sugar farming pollution, and pythons, boas, iguanas, and dozens of other escaped or released pets, the wildlife of my youth is mostly gone.