confiscated turtles

[Henkzwartepoorte]

A GREAT NUMBER OF CONFISCATED TURTLES FOR PLACING WITH INTERESTED PARTIES !
Added: 2010-02-11


If you thought the turtle trade in Asia was diminished you are wrong. The trade is shifted to other exporting countries in south east Asia with respect to certain species. Countries lacking law enforcement or with a strong corruption are exporting to China in particular. The trade is more than ever heavily ongoing and with respect to certain species totally unsustainable.
The day before yesterday a large shipment of over 1320 turtles were confiscated in Hong kong. Positive element in this is that at least the Hong kong authorities confiscate shipments so every now and then.

The shipment contains:
- Yellow-headed Temple Turtle (Heosemys annandalii),App II,200hd,20-60cm
- Malayan Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis),App II,640hd,20cm
- Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata), non scheduled,480hd,25-30cm

All turtles will be homed temporarily at Kadoorie Farms and Botanic gardens in Hong Kong. After two months all not homed turtles will be euthanized by the Hong kong government.
Kadoorie Farm now requested the TSA (Europe and USA) to find homes for these animals. This will be very difficult, but nevertheless I call on your creativity and financial means to seriously consider to home a number of these animals.
These species do not belong to priority species and are not critically endangered yet, but they will be in a few years from now. With respect to Cuora amboinensis read the reports by Chris Shepard and Sabine Shoppe. I particularly appeal to the Cuora amboinensis ESF studbook keeper to investigate whether a number of these specimens can fit in into the studbook.

Together with TSA USA we will have to look for funding transports.
Looking forward to your positive answer. Please contact me.

Best regards
Henk Zwartepoorte
President Turtie Survival Alliance (TSA) Europe
President ESF
Assistant Curator Reptiles and Amphibians Rotterdam Zoo.
Turtle Conservation Officer.
EAZA Amphibian Support Officer
EEP species coordinator Testudo kleinmanni and T. werneri
IUCN TFTS groupmember
Email: hezwa@rotterdamzoo.nl
Tel.: + 31 10 4431423
Fax + 31 10 4431466

[Marnix Hoekstra]

The group includes 9 Giant Asiant pond turtles.

[DHemby]

I would be interested in several of these poor turtles, how can i get them?

[Marnix Hoekstra]

Since you're in the US, I'm not sure. You could ask Heather Lowe:
http://www.turtlesurvival.org/contact

[Marnix Hoekstra]

Here is a video about the rescue: