Overseas collecting

Sarver.Cindy V3I (sarver.cindy@ssdgwy.mdc.com)
15 Nov 1996 08:03:58 U

All,
The thread on saving wild stands of cp is quite interesting, but what
about
overseas (someplace that you are a tourist) collecting? I've recently
been to Malaysia, and watched in horror as a beautiful stand of
nepenthes were being cleared. I'm headed to Madagascar, and expect even
more of the same. I can't collect them legally, and then take them back
home, of course, but can I collect seeds? And perhaps more important,
SHOULD I?
The thought of collecting from the wild AT ALL gives me serious
conscience
pangs; it's just one of those things that I don't do. Still, is it
better to try to save some, when they're about to be certainly
destroyed? (And where does it end - I definitely see the start of the
"CP Vigilantes" [love that image, Ken!] doing more harm than good.) And
will anyone send bail money if I get thrown into an overseas jail? ;-)

I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts on this - feel free to email
privately, if you prefer.

Thanks,
-cindy