Cenotaph wrote: Not yet, but will be on the look-out.

Anyone else that comes across this - try and find out who sold them to the pet shop. And be friendly when you inform the pet shop that they are selling OBT's

As Ceno says, the petshops didn't know what they were buying was an obt, so just go in with the right attitude if you do decide to speak to the employees.
Don't get aggressive with anyone and they will be more willing to help out.

I have been trying to find out the exact laws and regulations governing theraposids and scorpions in South Africa, and have found some inconsitencies with what we are told and what is published. Below is the list of species which are regulated according to South African law. If I have missed some critical laws, act or regulations, please could you post them. The one problem I have is interpreting the CITES listed species - does this list refer to all CITES or just those species indigenous to South Africa? Neither NEMBA nor its amendments give clarity - is there anyone who can clarify?

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2004
(ACT 10 of 2004): PUBLICATION OF LISTS OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, ENDANGERED, VULNERABLE AND PROTECTED SPECIES

By virtue of the powers vested in me under section 56(1) of the National Environmental
Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), I, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, hereby publish lists of critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and protected species as set out in the schedule hereunder.

SCHEDULE A: Threatened Species – Species threatened by one or more restricted activity (ies) as defined in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004

CATEGORY: Protected Species - Indigenous species of high conservation value or national importance that require national protection

INVERTEBRATA

Opisthacanthus spp - All species Creeping Scorpions
Opisthacanthus asper - Yellow-legged Tree Scorpion
Opistophthalmus spp - All species Burrowing Scorpions
Hadogenes spp - All species Flat Rock Scorpions

Pterinochilus spp - All species Golden Baboon Spiders
Ceratogyrus spp - All species Horned Baboon Spiders
Harpactira spp - All species Common Baboon Spiders

SCHEDULE B2: Other Protected Species – All species listed in the Appendices of CITES

ARANEAE
Theraphosidae Red-kneed tarantulas, tarantulas
Aphonopelma albiceps
Aphonopelma pallidum
Brachypelma spp.
SCORPIONES
Scorpionidae Scorpions
Pandinus dictator
Pandinus gambiensis
Pandinus imperator

I think it would be best to just leave all local species alone, not just those 3 Theraphosid species listed there. No need to put your hand in a bee nest and provoke them. As far as i knew there were some amendments to the law to include all the other genera, but dont have copies of the actual paper.