I know we talk frequently about how CB animals are better to get and we should stop getting WC animals. I want to step aside from the pet-trade aspect of WC animals due to abuses we could start a whole other thread on (in fact there are many). But what is actually so bad about a WC animal?
Obviously in many cases there are CB ones ready to buy. Who are we to take an animal out of its environment like we have the right to do whatever we want, but it seems to be how humans are and it happens. But while its not good for the species in its natural environment isn't it better for the individual taken and put in a knowledgeable caring environment? To always have food and water available, especially in dessert tortoises, and to have an eye and medical care provided when needed. Isn't that better for the individual tortoise than living its life in its actual natural environment where it could run out of food or be picked of by a predator. I actually really don't have a personal opinion on this, I got too deep into ethics behind it and got lost.
I realize i'm putting human care and processes on animals that could really care less. But when provided a large adequate space and left alone and not handled all the time, would they not even know they're captive? Why do so many wild tortoises/turtles have such a hard time adjusting? If our point is to provide the most natural conditions possible wouldn't it be possible to food them if we never bothered them. How would they know?
I don't mean to say I think its ok to go out and scoop up a wandering tortoise, I just want opinions as to why it is how it is.
I do know this is a view of a person who thinks humans have the right to control everything, which I do not believe. Its more or less why we do think its so wrong to grad WC animals when we can provide them care to better/extend their life? I would hope we can avoid the "humans don't have the right to feel entitled to control everything" I agree with this but its not an actual argument in my opinion.
Obviously in many cases there are CB ones ready to buy. Who are we to take an animal out of its environment like we have the right to do whatever we want, but it seems to be how humans are and it happens. But while its not good for the species in its natural environment isn't it better for the individual taken and put in a knowledgeable caring environment? To always have food and water available, especially in dessert tortoises, and to have an eye and medical care provided when needed. Isn't that better for the individual tortoise than living its life in its actual natural environment where it could run out of food or be picked of by a predator. I actually really don't have a personal opinion on this, I got too deep into ethics behind it and got lost.
I realize i'm putting human care and processes on animals that could really care less. But when provided a large adequate space and left alone and not handled all the time, would they not even know they're captive? Why do so many wild tortoises/turtles have such a hard time adjusting? If our point is to provide the most natural conditions possible wouldn't it be possible to food them if we never bothered them. How would they know?
I don't mean to say I think its ok to go out and scoop up a wandering tortoise, I just want opinions as to why it is how it is.
I do know this is a view of a person who thinks humans have the right to control everything, which I do not believe. Its more or less why we do think its so wrong to grad WC animals when we can provide them care to better/extend their life? I would hope we can avoid the "humans don't have the right to feel entitled to control everything" I agree with this but its not an actual argument in my opinion.