Tell Fish and Wildlife to Protect At-Risk Turtles!

Cowboy_Ken

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
17,560
Location (City and/or State)
Suburban-life in Salem, Oregon
Author of Peition: Chris Wolverton
Target of Petition: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Signatures: Over 63,000 as of 11/19/14
Aim-As many as possible

help us get to 51,000

The Petion
at http://bit.ly/11qika7
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently proposed new rules to protect at-risk turtles targeted for the pet trade and harvested for their meat, which is used in turtle soup.

The new rules would place common snapping turtles, along with other freshwater turtles including Florida softshell turtles, smooth softshell turtles and spiny softshell turtles, on an international endangered species list.

Granting these turtles endangered status would allow the FWS to monitor international trade that threatens their adult survivalship. According to FWS records, more than 811,000 snapping turtles were exported in 2011.

Please sign the petition to urge the FWS to move forward with their proposal to add these freshwater turtles to the endangered species list!
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,388
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
I don't think it's a good idea to add turtles to the endangered species list if they aren't endangered.
 

jskahn

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
259
Location (City and/or State)
Wickenburg, AZ
I agree. Also the spiney softshell, is an introduced species to Arizona, and is extremely obvious in most lakes, and creeks, that I have been to.
 

Cowboy_Ken

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
17,560
Location (City and/or State)
Suburban-life in Salem, Oregon
Topics in this newsletter
1. Save this date - March 21st. Turtle Intensive––Blandings Turtle Conservation
2. Important Links
3. Petition to protect Common snapping turtles and Soft-shelled turtles
4. DEC - hotline announced
5. We'd love your suggestions
Contact: [email protected]
Join us as we exchange ideas and learn techniques for the rehabilitation and conservation of chelonian wildlife.

1. Turtle Intensive––Blandings Turtle Conservation 3/21
We're already planning ahead, and the next Turtle Intensive is slated to be on March 21st, with a focus on Blandings turtles (Emydoidea blandings.) We will be hosted at Turtle Rescue League, South Bridge, MA. Mark your calendars!

2. Important Links
* NEPARC's (Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation) suggested decon protocol and Rana virus FAQ sheet
We're only beginning to understand emerging diseases. It is important to adopt DeCon best practices, but please keep in mind that these recommendations could change as the current body of knowledge increases.

* NYSWRC
Log in: guest
Password: nyswrc2014
This will give you access to this year's handouts. Note: one is specific to bog turtles.

* Chelonian Emergency and Critical Care
By Terry M. Norton, DVM, Dip. ACZM

* Start your worm farm, Uncle Jim's Worms has offered us a 10% discount code: ujw10
If you haven't started a worm farm yet, this site has some excellent information.

3. Petition
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently proposed new rules to protect at-risk turtles targeted for the pet trade and harvested for their meat, which is used in turtle soup.

The new rules would place common snapping turtles, along with other freshwater turtles including Florida softshell turtles, smooth softshell turtles and spiny softshell turtles, on an international endangered species list.

Granting these turtles endangered status would allow the FWS to monitor international trade that threatens their adult survivalship. According to FWS records, more than 811,000 snapping turtles were exported in 2011.

Please sign the petition to urge the FWS to move forward with their proposal to add these freshwater turtles to the endangered species list Sign the petition here.


4. DEC - Announces new hotline to report illegal poaching
1-844-332-3267 (1-844-DEC-ECOS)
Note: This is for New York State.

5. We'd Love Your Suggestions
We welcome comments and suggestions from all of you (even if you couldn't make the last workshop.) It is our hope to support the crosspollination of the various communities working in turtle conservation. Your input will help us in that endeavor.

Meetings are open to conservationists, field biologists, citizen scientists, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, and professionals actively working in turtle conservation. Please feel free to forward this to any qualified colleagues who may be interested.

If you have any further questions, please email or give me a call.

Patricia S Johnson
[email protected]
www.TurtleAdvocate.org
347-242-7058
Turtle Intensive––Blandings - 3/21
@ Turtle Rescue League, South Bridge, MA
Our mailing address is:
Turtle Advocate
2020 Maple Hill St.
#412
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
______________________________
 

ascott

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Messages
16,138
Location (City and/or State)
Apple Valley, California
This is going to be a hard one.....since people in THIS country also think it is alright to trap, kill and eat some of the targeted turtles....but I believe they should be added, they are truly awesome creatures.....
 

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