Please Identify this Tarantula

[kfc223]

He will never get a permit for a wild caught animal, there are only a handful of people that have been granted permits for Baboon Spiders. The chances of him getting a permit is practically zero.

Its unlikely that it will pose a threat to his children or his dogs. He should just release it in a field near where he found it. If he's caught with it its quite likely that he will be given a fine.

[Zohar]

I read on tarantulas.co.za that if a wild specimen is found it should be killed. Is this true? Here http://www.tarantulas.co.za/forum/tarantula-general/23919-harpactirella-lightfooti

[Westley Price]

As with most animals in SA, you cannot simply catch something and get a permits for it.

No matter what your friend does, the spider is illegal and will never be legal at any cost.

[Lillypod]

Please don't kill it, I think what they meant is that if it has been in captivity for quite some time then it might infect the local population with diseases they normally should not have, but considering this spider has not been kept long best will be to let it go asap.

[cascade]

Actually been thinking about it, he is not in Gauteng, rules and regulation differ from Provinces.
Tell your friend to contact NATCON in your area and talk to someone in this regard to getting a keeping permit for a baboon spider, don't call it a tarantula as that will just confuse matters and make for the wrong response. Baboon spider

But the best advice that has been given, is to let it go. (I don't think this will happen though)
The spider won't be a threat to him, he's kids or animals, the fact is they are around and where there is one there is more, I think you guys should rather worry about the crime that is getting worse than the spiders.
If he is really worried then tell him to let it go a couple of meters or km from his place in the same environment that it was found.


To come back to the killing part which you read about from tarantulas.co.za.
As it is illegal to keep baboon spiders without a permit, some people don't know about the laws, eventually they find out about the law and they want to do the right thing and get rid of the spider, they have a couple of options to be used, you can let it go(in the exact location it was found), you can find someone who has a permit and is willing to take the spider, you can apply for a permit, you can kill it or you can keep it and hope you don't get found with it, which is normally a no no

1. Applying for a permit.
2. Find someone with a permit, there is not to many guys out there though.
3. Kill it, which is a bit hard to do if you have a heart.
4. keeping it, which again is illegal to do so.
5. Letting the spider go is not advisable, unless you caught it and know exactly where it came from. if you got the spider from someone else and you don't know the exact location it came from then you can do option 1, 2 and 3 (with 4 being a NO NO)

[Ceratogyrus]

Looks like one of the Harpactira species, which would be illegal to keep, even in KZN unless you have a permit.

[Jamster]

Your friend isn't very bright...and you can tell him I said that.

This person is worried about it being dangerous and coming in to contact with the kids and the puppies? Let's say that this baboon spider is dangerous(usually they aren't considered dangerous to humans). Assuming he lives with these kids and the puppies, he is willing to keep the animal within the immediate living space of these kids and puppies? Assuming he lives elsewhere, he is willing to "endanger" himself and those who live with him to "save" the poor kids and puppies? Give me a break...

This guy is looking for an excuse to keep the spider, and frankly he chose a very lame and idiotic excuse. I'm sure there is a nice bushy area he could release the spider in to nearby. Preferably near some refuge. (rocks/logs)

[Zohar]

Thank you all for your advise and time. The spider has been released already and hopefully no more will be found. Thanks again.