A leading conservationist has called on Government to look at policies that are in place in Florida in deciding whether certain exotic species of animals and plants should be allowed to be imported.

Dr. David Wingate applauding Monday's announcement by the Environment Ministry that they had refused permission for a pet shop to bring skunks and African Pygmy Hedgehogs and sell them on as domestic companions.

Meanwhile, Pic-A-Pet owner Bryan Parkin admitted that he would reconsider his position on whether skunks should be imported "should evidence prove it to be dangerous".

But he added that Government's announcement had unfairly cast him "in a negative light" by making it seem as if he was not a responsible businessman.

Dr. Wingate said yesterday that Bermuda was particularly vulnerable to ecological damage because it was a small island.

"So much care has to be taken when deciding whether we should introduce animals. Often there are species which are brought in which have no compliment of predators and they can do considerable damage."

He noted that in the past countless mistakes had been made when animals such as kiskadees, red-eared terrapins and even goats were allowed in.

"If we haven't learned the lesson by now then God help us. I applaud Government's decision to closely scrutinise what's being brought in. We have to err on the side of caution because when mammals are brought in, they can reproduce and it becomes impossible to control them. Nature's ability to respond has frustrated all attempts to do so in the past."

A former Government Conservation Officer, Dr. Wingate called on Government to set up committees which are charged with the responsibility of checking any importation proposal thoroughly and making a decision based on extensive research.

And he said he thought a stop-list should be obtained from Florida, so that it can be easily known which types of plant pose the greatest threat to Bermuda's environment.

"In terms of which environment is similar to ours, Government should look to what they do in Florida because it's pretty certain that whatever affects them badly will affect us in pretty much the same way."

Bermuda Audubon Society vice-president Andrew Dobson also applauded the banning of skunks and hedgehogs.

"One only has to look at other examples, the introduction of certain species into New Zealand or the population of cats on Ascension Island that is causing havoc, to understand the threat."

Responding to the fact that African Pygmy Hedgehogs are bred to be domestic animals and only grow to be about six-inches, Mr. Dobson said: "There could still be big problems if they were able to breed. Something similar nearly happened at Spittal Pond when a number of guinea pigs was allowed to escape there."

Mr. Parkin objected to allegations that the owners of the hedgehogs already here were irresponsible.

He said they had been given proper equipment and extensive information on to how to look after the animals and added that he was still in contact with them in case they needed advice.

He added: "There's so much misinformation out there about the hedgehogs we want to sell. They aren't like European hedgehogs but are actually more like hamsters. They are very domesticated."