I'm so sorry I've been quiet for a couple weeks here. I went on a trip and, as usual, got clogged up with work. When that happens I often make the mistake of neglecting my other interests. I'm working on that.
To make it up to you, check out these hatchling Hermann's! Shells inside shells of pure cuteness.
View this video if only to see the cute tortoise grass-eating shot.
It's all yours. I present: turtle news of the last seven days.
01/27/2008 - Third turtle found dead in less than 21 days
01/27/2008 - Helping turtles in difficulty
01/26/2008 - It's not about the speed
01/25/2008 - Olive Ridley rookery turns turtle
01/25/2008 - Endangered leatherback turtle’s epic 12,744-mile migration
01/25/2008 - Dead turtles worry conservationists
01/25/2008 - Scores Of Dead Turtles Washed Up With The Tide
01/25/2008 - CDC: Pet turtles cause multistate Salmonella outbreak
01/25/2008 - UW Vets Perform Surgery On Exotic Tortoise
01/25/2008 - RETTEW Hires Qualified Bog Turtle Surveyor
01/25/2008 - Endangered leatherback turtle's epic 12,744-mile migration
01/24/2008 - Cuba Bans Sea Turtle Hunting
01/24/2008 - Pet Turtles Linked to Rise in Salmonella Infections
01/23/2008 - Gopher tortoise rules still unsettled
01/23/2008 - Cuba bans marine turtle hunt
01/23/2008 - Turning The Tide For Sea Turtles
01/23/2008 - Indigenous turtle conservationists arrive in Mexico
01/23/2008 - Endangered turtle not found on site of planned Middleboro casino
01/22/2008 - Leatherback turtle's 12,744 mile migration
01/22/2008 - Turtle issue a casino killer or just bluff?
01/22/2008 - Loggerhead turtle rescued
01/22/2008 - Turtle Clears A Hurdle At Colorado State Capitol
Squishable.com is offering the biggest, snuggliest turtles and tortoises you'll find anywhere. One of these would be a great alternative to having a real tortoise: you don't have to feed it, water it, keep it warm, wet, or dry. And it's HUGE! Visit Squishable.com for all your cuddly turtle needs, and cuddly whale needs, cuddly duck needs, cuddly frog needs, cuddly octopus needs....
There is a lot of blogworthy turtle news today, but I think this story wins.
Under pressure from conservationists, Cuba's Fisheries Ministry has finally banned the harvest of marine turtles along its beaches and in its waters. This is especially good news for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. Until now, Cuba has been able to legally take 500 hawksbill turtles each year for their business of shell export. All marine turtles that swim Cuban waters will benefit from this ban, which is to stay in effect until scientific evidence proves that the hawskbill is on the rebound.
Links:
Cuba bans marine turtle hunt
Camagüey takes actions favouring the protection of turtles
Cuba Ends Turtle Hunt-WWF
Cuba bans turtle hunt
Cuba Bans Turtle Hunt to Protect Species
I predict this is going to be one of the next reptilian news trends.
I closely follow current events of reptiles and amphibians via dozens of Google Alerts that magically appear in my inbox daily. So I'm up on what's up in the herp world. For a long time, the newspapers had a lot to say about burying gopher tortoises alive. Then they had a lot to say about restricting the practice of burying gopher tortoises alive. Then there was the massive Australian cane toad invasion. Then we had the out-of-control iguana population in many Florida locales. This winter we have those iguanas falling out of trees.
Just bubbling to the surface recently is the story of the red-eared slider becoming the next cane toad in Australia. Just the other day I reported on red eared sliders in New Zealand, and as a footnote I stated that the species is outlawed in Australia. Apparently the slider has become a serious problem in Australia, where it can live and breed and has few predators. (The article cites two predators: foxes and goannas (monitor lizards).) In Australia you can't own red-eareds as pets, and they are certainly not allowed in the wild. They really aren't welcome anywhere. The turtle discussed in the article is to be euthanized.
It is rather important that they keep the sliders under control while they can, if possible. Otherwise they may compete too fiercely with Australian turtles and other water-dwellers for food. They really don't need another animal like the cane toad taking over the country. I predict that we'll be seeing more of the red-eared slider in the news before we see less of it, but I do hope that it doesn't wreak too much havoc.
I've been turtling all week long ... collecting turtle news, that is ... and here is my bounty. Enjoy!
01/21/2008 - Turtle population under threat
01/21/2008 - Work of J. Nichols '89 to Save Sea Turtles Produces Results, Reports San Diego Union-Tribune
01/20/2008 - Turtle could throw wrench in casino plans
01/20/2008 - Why don’t turtles cross the road?
01/19/2008 - Subdivision meets major obstacles in trees, tortoises
01/19/2008 - Framingham teachers headed to Costa Rica
01/19/2008 - Endangered turtle could put snag in resort casino project
01/18/2008 - Cute turtle a real terminator
01/18/2008 - Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Protected Sea Turtles
01/18/2008 - Illegal turtle trade thriving - report
01/18/2008 - Biosecurity takes Currumbin Valley turtle
01/18/2008 - Too late for Leatherback but hope for Green, Hawksbill turtles
01/17/2008 - Turtle in safe hands
01/17/2008 - Varanasi boatmen on indefinite strike against tortoise zone entry tax
01/17/2008 - Recovered turtles return to sea
01/17/2008 - After red tide's toll, sea turtles return to Brevard County beach
01/17/2008 - American turtle threatens wildlife
01/17/2008 - Buddie Boogies Back Into The Briny Blue
01/17/2008 - Gators and turtles dive into Georgia Aquarium
01/16/2008 - Turtle alert for beach walkers
01/16/2008 - Sea Turtles Released After Rehabilitation From Red Tide Ailments
01/15/2008 - Endangered Turtles Bring Higher Profits for Pet Dealers
The World Wildlife Fund has reported that the less plentiful a species of turtle, the more money a pet dealer can charge for it. The more illegal it is to obtain and/or sell, the more lucrative.
I'd really like to expound here, but I'm not sure what to say. Is there anything left to say, really?
Really?
Here's a summary of this particular money making process, in case the idea is new to you (and in which case, good on you, you've never heard of drugs):
1. Outlaw the sale of an item
2. Sell the item
3. PROFIT!
Plenty Magazine's Extinction Blog has also picked up on this, and as the blog states, capitalism is alive and well. As I always state, hallelujah for that. But this isn't capitalism; this is illegal animal trade. These are individuals who have no empathy for animals, wildlife, our ecosystem. This is purely selfish illegal animal exploitation. And it's bad.
Hatch a leopard tortoise in your basement and sell it for as much as the market will bear, please! That's capitalism. I like expensive things. Fewer people own expensive things. But catch and sell a turtle listed on CITES Appendix I and you should not pass go nor collect $200; you should go directly to jail. Come on, people, we have laws for a reason. There are ways to get by that don't involve disrupting our ecosystem.
Turtles may not be cuddly, but c'mon, they're cute. Adorable slowcoaches with elephant feet, destined to lose each and every race, retractable heads cute as a button.
If you think that's the case, you haven't met Snappy! First spotted some 17 years ago in a Caldicot Country Park pond in South Wales, this snapping turtle has spent the past couple decades on the lam devouring fish, ducks, and whatever else he can catch.
The killer turtle has recently been caught, and he has been moved to the Tortoise Trust rescue sanctuary in west Wales.
It's hard for me to believe he weighs only 20 pounds, but regardless, a duck is no match for that.
This is another prime example of what happens when pet turtles are discarded into the wild. Yes, Snappy must have been a pet, since snapping turtles are native to North America.
You know what time it is: turtle news time! Every Monday we recap the news of the past week. Here's this week's installment.
01/13/2008 - Raising turtles in captivity may help restore numbers
01/13/2008 - 'Pet' turtle at home in church
01/12/2008 - Oh, snap! Time to keep the trappers at bay
01/11/2008 - Turtle travels long way to get help
01/11/2008 - Pet turtle dies pining for beloved owner
01/11/2008 - After slow and steady probe, alleged tortoise smuggler caught
01/11/2008 - Chinese Smugglers Caught With Endangered Sea Turtle Shell
01/10/2008 - Shire takes legal action over turtle centre plans
01/10/2008 - Local farmers see ray of hope in domestic pet turtle act
01/10/2008 - Endangered status an advantage to turtle traders
01/10/2008 - Chico Man Accused Of Illegal Tortoise Trading
01/10/2008 - Mural unveiled at turtle museum’s Grand Hatching
01/10/2008 - Officials allege Chicoan conspired with 'Turtle Man' on tortoise smuggling
01/10/2008 - Indonesia cited for allowing illegal turtle sales
01/09/2008 - TDC Still Waiting for Response on Sea Turtle Lighting
01/09/2008 - Turtle tug-of-war heading to court
01/09/2008 - Red-bellied turtle may slow casino
01/09/2008 - Is red-eared slider turtle smaller than 4 inches? In July, it'll be illegal to own
01/08/2008 - Indonesia cited for allowing illegal turtle sales
01/08/2008 - Concern for turtle may slow SugarHouse work
01/08/2008 - Endangered sea turtle found off Batangas coastal town
01/08/2008 - Report highlights Indonesia's illegal freshwater turtle trade
01/08/2008 - Beach plea after rare turtles die
01/08/2008 - Rare turtles washed up on beaches