Curse of the Ninja Turtles

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by sarah

Im sorry but im VERY offended by what you have said. I know nothing about turtles.

As for Some Shelled Warriors we do a brilliant job getting the correct information out there on how to keep tortoises, we must have helped thousands of people not just members but lurkers also.

So please do not come on here and bring us down.

Some posts dont always get answered on here simply because no one has knowledge of the question asked.

I have no intention of bringing you down, just trying to galvanise support for an issue that relates to Aquatic Chelonia! The unregulated trade in hatchling Terrapins.
For information, aside very few of the lucky ones, which are rehomed to responsible carers, a significant number are dumped into river systems, lakes, and ponds throughout the UK and Europe.
Some are sent to sanctuary in Italy; see pic's below.
What I am suggesting is a change in the law and the implimentation of rules similar to those that exist in the USA.
This will require support from CHELONIA groups if it is to be adopted?

[Tappers]

Gosh, hasn't this thread been busy since my last visit?

I understand what many of you are saying - I rarely visit the 'other tortoises' area of the forum, even though I've met some very charming red foots etc I find that with my turtles and ibera I have a definate area of interest.

A 4" law does speak to the same concern for all chelonia as the supermarket thread though and something that we should all support - no wonder people feel passionate about it..

[Zoo-Man]

How do we know that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were turtles/terrapins? They may have been tortoises, as the yanks call tortoises turtles don't they?

Confusing eh???

[romski]

I am new to this site but not to turtle keeping. So as a newbie I will try and tread gently.

I too have homed and rehomes many animals over the years. This ranges from requests from the local BCG group (of which I am a happy member) to requests from RSPCA and Longleat. All I have helped, most are ill informed of the big picture. It has been rightly pointed out that even this site has turtles as an adjunct to the main business. It would be fair then, to agree that most on this section of the forum are passers by or primarily interested in the dry side of the hobby and perhaps without an incling of the magnitude of the problem.

I welcome Geomydas start of the debate as it is timely to have it. The subject is more important than the side discussions as I am certain that no personal slight was really meant.

What do you guys think? The 4 inch rule is great provided that Musk turtles, are excluded. What about an increased price, say a £50 purchase tax as well. After all tortoises are still selling at £100+.

The current law stops Painted being imported yet they are bred by thousands and would be more suitable because of their smaller size.

Rom

[Kirkie]

Interesting time for this issue to return to the fore what with the pressure being applied to the CARAPAX organisation (I'm assuming Geomyda's pictures are of their facility) due to their perceived gross over-stocking and poor bio-security. If they are no longer a viable "solution" to the excess of unwanted chelonia, who will step in? Maybe it is time for restrictions to be imposed on the importation of these species.

As for the 4 inch rule, is it really a workable solution? I thought that in the US it is easily wavered by a potential owner stating (prompted by the seller) that the animal is for educational, scientific, research or export purposes?

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Interesting time for this issue to return to the fore what with the pressure being applied to the CARAPAX organisation (I'm assuming Geomyda's pictures are of their facility) due to their perceived gross over-stocking and poor bio-security. If they are no longer a viable "solution" to the excess of unwanted chelonia, who will step in? Maybe it is time for restrictions to be imposed on the importation of these species.

As for the 4 inch rule, is it really a workable solution? I thought that in the US it is easily wavered by a potential owner stating (prompted by the seller) that the animal is for educational, scientific, research or export purposes?

Perhaps, this question should be answered by American contributors too this forum. After all, they will have seen the effect of this rule as it as been "in force", now for some considerable period?

[Kirkie]

I've just posted a report of a large scale illegal turtle "laundering" operation in the US in the thread http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...t=23692&page=3

It contains a statement that:

"In one instance, a dealer bragged that he had made $100,000 in a year by selling thousands of snapping turtles to a Louisiana turtle farm that "laundered" the transaction before shipping the animals to China for food."

So who knows the legitimacy of any "farmed" or CB turtles entering the UK from the US.

Same situation as the Eastern European tortoise imports.

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Kirkie

I've just posted a report of a large scale illegal turtle "laundering" operation in the US in the thread http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...t=23692&page=3

It contains a statement that:

"In one instance, a dealer bragged that he had made $100,000 in a year by selling thousands of snapping turtles to a Louisiana turtle farm that "laundered" the transaction before shipping the animals to China for food."

So who knows the legitimacy of any "farmed" or CB turtles entering the UK from the US.

Same situation as the Eastern European tortoise imports.

Just as worrying, is the supposed captive breeding farms in China!

[spiderbaitwebs]

I think its terrible they were sold so small, the uk claims to be a nation of animal loves but its not any better than other countries, I watched the TMNT and it is not the reason I am getting a tortoise I saw some in a store and fell in love and will do my dardest to be their for life to them, anyone who buys a pet because of a series on tv needs to be made to wait and consider their choice.

[Fozz]

Don't forget Rocky 1 and 4....... These brought little turtles sale booms of their own......