Selling wild caught redfoots

[NATURALIS]

Originally Posted by EJ

That is still short sighted because there should be new blood added. Another point is that the demise of these animals is not primarily over collecting but is due to the loss of habitat which is only going to get worse.

Isn't that even more reason to protect them in there home range instead of pillaging and raping our wildlife !!!!!.
Not sure where i read this article right now but it contained some interesting fact's ...like for every 10 tortoise's imported for the pet trade only 3 will be alive after the first 3 year's !!!!!!!!!!, sound's like really good conservation to me . I say again we have enough new blood in the uk alone to last many generation's without the need to import anymore .
All i can see happening is the same that happended in the 1960's/80's when they became throw away pet's .

[FLINTUS]

I think Naturalis and I are against you on this EJ. The fact is that there is a big genetic pool in the uk with tortoises originating from all over South America-if we're talking about Red Foots that is. You have already made your point about CB originating from WC but there is no need to add a fresh batch of WC. Alot of farms are in Red Foots native countries and they are then shipped massive distances accross the Atlantic or in your case up the coast of the Americas. If you disapprove of the Catholic Church eating Red Foots then you should disagree with this as they have to travel probably even longer distances.

[FLINTUS]

Originally Posted by NATURALIS

Isn't that even more reason to protect them in there home range instead of pillaging and raping our wildlife !!!!!.
Not sure where i read this article right now but it contained some interesting fact's ...like for every 10 tortoise's imported for the pet trade only 3 will be alive after the first 3 year's !!!!!!!!!!, sound's like really good conservation to me . I say again we have enough new blood in the uk alone to last many generation's without the need to import anymore .
All i can see happening is the same that happended in the 1960's/80's when they became throw away pet's .

Thank you. At least you have consideration for these poor animals and recognise the fact we have enough different genes already!

[NATURALIS]

i don't see how the gene pool could run out , unless i'm missing something

[EJ]

Thanks for the giggle... no surprise there.

There is not a big genetic pool in the UK if you give it a little thought. I don't know of any keeper that has done any genetic testing to determine the compatability of their tortoises.

If you give it a little more thought... I'd be willing to bet most of the Testudo available in the UK... and most other places... are mutts.

As to the South American tortoises... I'm curious as to what is the basis of your assumption.

...um... the rest of your point is interesting... but I just don't get what that point is.

Originally Posted by FLINTUS

I think Naturalis and I are against you on this EJ. The fact is that there is a big genetic pool in the uk with tortoises originating from all over South America-if we're talking about Red Foots that is. You have already made your point about CB originating from WC but there is no need to add a fresh batch of WC. Alot of farms are in Red Foots native countries and they are then shipped massive distances accross the Atlantic or in your case up the coast of the Americas. If you disapprove of the Catholic Church eating Red Foots then you should disagree with this as they have to travel probably even longer distances.

[EJ]

It's not a question of running out. I believe it is a matter of strengthening and improving.

Originally Posted by NATURALIS

i don't see how the gene pool could run out , unless i'm missing something

[Laura1988]

Originally Posted by EJ

Food for thought... there would be no captive animals if not for wild caught animals... kind of a silly point if you think about it.

The best one I love is Leopard Geckos... 300 to 400 when they were first imported... we are talking normals. Today... 10 to 15 each... retail.

When I see all animal keepers give up their pets in the name of... I'll give a great deal more respect to this line of thought.

I understand that obviously none of us would have our pets if it wasn't for animals originally being taken from the wild. But now there are so many captive bred animals, I find it unnecessary and a little shocking that animals are still being taken from the wild. The only motivation for this the people who catch them (in my opinion) is money.

[Laura1988]

I was a bit slow on the uptake only saw the first page of this thread.

[NATURALIS]

Originally Posted by EJ

It's not a question of running out. I believe it is a matter of strengthening and improving.

Utter rubbish !!!!!!!!!!

[NATURALIS]

Originally Posted by NATURALIS

Isn't that even more reason to protect them in there home range instead of pillaging and raping our wildlife !!!!!.
Not sure where i read this article right now but it contained some interesting fact's ...like for every 10 tortoise's imported for the pet trade only 3 will be alive after the first 3 year's !!!!!!!!!!, sound's like really good conservation to me . I say again we have enough new blood in the uk alone to last many generation's without the need to import anymore .
All i can see happening is the same that happended in the 1960's/80's when they became throw away pet's .

Has i've said above there becoming throw away pet's like they where year's ago when each yr they would be replaced for £5 , every rescue centre have load's to rehome which prove's to me there's far to many being imported . If it was upto me i would ban all wildlife from being moved from it's country of origin , a complete total ban .