Schildkrötentagung Gera, April 4-6

[Marnix Hoekstra]

Hi all,
My boss gave me a few days off in April, which allows me to attend the turtle-meeting of the German Herpetological Society (DGHT) in Gera. Gera is not close to me but fortunately I can catch a ride with two others who are going there.
I will be in Gera from Friday till Sunday. I will be helping at the ESF stand (even though I'm a bit rusty on my German).
The program can be found here: http://www.dght.de/ag/schildkroeten/pdf ... ng2008.pdf
I hope to meet some of you there
Marnix

[DHemby]

Is turtle pet care big in Germany? I know here in the states its a underground type hobby, with the over zealous laws and stipulations its hard to find species other than sliders, cooters, american boxs, and mediocre tortoises. I myself love pond turtles, muds, musks, softshells, and snappers so its very frustrating and strenuous to find healthy legal specimens that are 100% captive born.Plus if you are llucky to find any in the states they usualy have to be shipped and i myself dont like seeing the animal put threw that. Its annoying. I wish there were actual turtle marts or something, the darn cats and dogs got there own why cant we!

[Marnix Hoekstra]

Well I don't know how big the turtle hobby is in Germany as compared to the States. But this meeting is a major event. And they have reptile expos where you can buy a large variety of turtles.
Germany has overzealous laws too. Especially the state of Niedersachsen where Annette lives.

[DHemby]

I know here in the states if you study the laws on the turtle enough there are alot of loop holes. I wish there was a way to help annette, i couldnt imagine how she feels having to give her friend up. I know it has to be hard. The only events i have found here in the us are reptile shows that consist of high prices and poor selection of healthy turtles. Im currently in the process of planing a 475 gal indoor inclosier made of three 150gals and a mesh top with two exaust fans to ventilate. I might be buying two more females from one of our forums marketplace breeders. Still no luck on finding a male. I would like to have a breeding clutch of one male and 3-4 females (maybe get a 2nd male depending on how much more room i got left in my house after that!).

[Marnix Hoekstra]

The conference was a great success. I met the only studbook participant (besides myself) and he introduced me to a new participant. There were some interesting lectures. Unfortunately I couldn't go to Sebastian's presentation on Mauremys caspica on Sunday. We had to leave before that because we had a long journey ahead of us.
We didn't get to visit Annette on the way back. Maybe next time

[DHemby]

Awesome, glad it was a good trip. I will be going to my first AHA meeting the 22nd and i think the tsa is having something in tucson on the 23rd. Busy month for turtles. There are no grandis at the az zoo like we thought, miss information.