Ploughshare Tortoise at Virginia Safari park

[KenS]

http://www.virginiasafaripark.com/

A buddy of mine lives right near there and was there today, he could not beleive they have a Ploughshare tortoise as well as a HUGH 14inch plus Smooth perfect growth Sri lankan Star!

 

[wellington]

So where are the pics of the torts? I couldn't find them on their site, are they there?

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

That is so very cool.
How did they get a ploughshare? Do zoos get to have first dibs on tortoises that are confiscated by customs?

 

[N2TORTS]

That is so very cool.
How did they get a ploughshare? Do zoos get to have first dibs on tortoises that are confiscated by customs?

Great question! ......

and I must admit I was cracking up ...reading this first thing this morning ...... “ A Safari in Virginia” drive thru - zoo…

Heck in So. Ca….we have a place like that … it’s called “Watts” .. oh yea there’s Compton too!….Just like visiting two different continents in one day!
They will even approach your car looking for “Munchie hand outs” rather if you have them or not ….
if not …. They just take the car!

 

[tortadise]

That is so very cool.
How did they get a ploughshare? Do zoos get to have first dibs on tortoises that are confiscated by customs?

Zoos don't get first right per say. Typically there are two scenarios in which this happens. Either the local USFW port authority confiscates them from people trying to bring them into the country(which in the US is not often, or near the amount that try to get smuggled into Korea,Thailand,China Etc.) Or they received the animal from another zoo that has had it prior. Turn over on curators and directors at zoos happens a lot. Some curators and directors can show favoritism of certain species and manage their zoo with maybe CITES 1 hoof stock, polar bears, or even focus on a lot of tortoises. It just all depends.

 

[KenS]

I am waiting for pictures as well!! If and when I get them, I WILL post them right away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Millerlite]

That is so very cool.
How did they get a ploughshare? Do zoos get to have first dibs on tortoises that are confiscated by customs?

Great question! ......

and I must admit I was cracking up ...reading this first thing this morning ...... “ A Safari in Virginia” drive thru - zoo…

Heck in So. Ca….we have a place like that … it’s called “Watts” .. oh yea there’s Compton too!….Just like visiting two different continents in one day!
They will even approach your car looking for “Munchie hand outs” rather if you have them or not ….
if not …. They just take the car!

This cracks me up being from so cal


Check out my site and channel:
Www.tortoise-spot.webs.com
Www.youtube.com/tortoisespot

 

[N2TORTS]

HA HA .. Miller! ... I knew someone would understand ... although you need to view Kens post link first ..... then the comment is even more funny ... ( to some of us ) ....

 

[bigred]

That is so very cool.
How did they get a ploughshare? Do zoos get to have first dibs on tortoises that are confiscated by customs?

Great question! ......

and I must admit I was cracking up ...reading this first thing this morning ...... “ A Safari in Virginia” drive thru - zoo…

Heck in So. Ca….we have a place like that … it’s called “Watts” .. oh yea there’s Compton too!….Just like visiting two different continents in one day!
They will even approach your car looking for “Munchie hand outs” rather if you have them or not ….
if not …. They just take the car!

JD I work in downtown L. A. To be exact the 5 fwy at 7th street so I know what you mean. When I started this job one of my co workers told me I should carry something sharp with me at all times. I have a good time there but I also like coming home to Orange County where I can relax

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Wow and the I5 is jammed south bound each AM out of OC for those residents to work in safe San Diego. I have been to rainbow mealworms a few time (it's in Compton) not great, but I felt less vulnerable than when I took a wrong exit in RSA and was in a township of a million. It's all relative I guess.

Maybe that's where the secret ploughshare breeding facility is, in Compton, far away from where USF&W folks will venture hhahahahahahahha.

Will

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

So, where them photos?

 

[AnnV]

Still waiting...

 

[KenS]

ME too!!!!

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Yeah, KenS. Pictures, pictures ... we want ploughshare pictures!
Do any So Cal peeps remember Lion Country Safari and Frasier the lion?

 

[turtlesteve]

I visited this park a few years ago and didn't see this tortoise. Wish I knew about it then.

Steve

 

[tortadise]

I visited this park a few years ago and didn't see this tortoise. Wish I knew about it then.

Steve

Most zoos or institutions that have ploughshares are not kept on display. Its unfortunate for visitors.

 

[AnnV]

Re: RE: Ploughshare Tortoise at Virginia Safari park

I visited this park a few years ago and didn't see this tortoise. Wish I knew about it then.

Steve

Most zoos or institutions that have ploughshares are not kept on display. Its unfortunate for visitors.

Really?! That isn't logical. What an educational opportunity lost.

 

[tortadise]

Yeah. From an outsiders point of view it seems that way. But from the conservationist point of view(typically the director or curator) they feel to be successful in reproducing the animal instead of displaying it and getting kids tapping on the glass or throwing bottles in the enclosure. You would be surprised whats behind the scenes at zoos. Usually the best stuff.

 

[AnnV]

Re: RE: Ploughshare Tortoise at Virginia Safari park

Yeah. From an outsiders point of view it seems that way. But from the conservationist point of view(typically the director or curator) they feel to be successful in reproducing the animal instead of displaying it and getting kids tapping on the glass or throwing bottles in the enclosure. You would be surprised whats behind the scenes at zoos. Usually the best stuff.

Yes, I understand public disrespect and all. But with today's technology (web cams, etc) the animals could be displayed without exposure.

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Excellent idea AnnV! I agree! : )