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| Matthew Aresco |
| Help HSUS relocate threatened Gopher tortoises. |
Turtles fascinate young and old alike with their slow gait, thick shells and curious expressions.
From a box turtle in the woods to a strong-jawed snapping turtle in a pond, turtles in their natural environment can inspire wonder, but their survival depends on community action and attentiveness.
Sadly, development and pollution threaten turtles' habitat, and people collect turtles in large numbers for the pet trade. Turtles have long lives and delayed reproduction which makes them particularly vulnerable to losing populations.
Eight years ago, concern for the survival of turtle species worldwide inspired American Tortoise Rescue to designate May 23 as World Turtle Day.
"World Turtle Day calls attention to these remarkable animals," says Beth Preiss, director of the exotic pets campaign for The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States encourages people to help protect turtles in their natural habitats where they belong and to forgo getting them as pets—both for their health and ours."
In honor of World Turtle Day 2008, we've compiled some of the latest turtle news and HSUS actions to protect them:
Box Turtles Saved from the Path of Maryland Highway
The HSUS is an active participant in an innovative effort to save box turtles in the path of a controversial highway near Washington, D.C. With the help of turtle-sniffing dogs, almost 250 Eastern box turtles were found before forest habitats were cleared for the first phase of construction of the Intercounty Connector. Since box turtles are notoriously difficult to relocate, those who have to be relocated are being studied to monitor their movements and survival. The project aims to learn more about box turtle relocation to protect other populations threatened by development.
Florida Gopher Tortoises Earn Greater Protection
An imperiled tortoise found only in the southeastern United States is receiving greater protection with help from The HSUS. In the past year, Florida raised the status of gopher tortoises to "threatened," indicating a greater risk of extinction, and ended a controversial "incidental take" policy that allowed developers to purchase a permit to bury the animals alive in their burrows. The state now requires developers to relocate tortoises using a "soft-release" method, providing them with food and shelter until they adjust to their new home. However, thousands more tortoises are in danger since Florida grandfathered permits requested before August 2007. The HSUS continues to reach out to developers with grandfathered permits and has coordinated efforts to rescue more than 700 tortoises from development sites.
Florida Reviewing Rules on Harvesting Freshwater Turtles
Currently, it is legal in Florida to capture and kill softshell turtles, except from May through July. It is also legal to take their eggs during most of the year. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider changes to these regulations at its June meeting. The HSUS urges the commission to prohibit the commercial harvest of freshwater turtles in the state.
Oklahoma Puts Moratorium on Commercial Harvest of Turtles from Public Waters
Oklahoma recently placed a three-year moratorium on commercial harvest of turtles from public waters in the state. During this time, the state will study the status of Oklahoma's turtles and consider whether to extend the prohibition to private waters. The HSUS applauds the moratorium and encourages Oklahoma to enact permanent protection for turtles. Several rare turtle species live in Oklahoma, including the alligator snapping turtle.
U.S. Congress Rejects Efforts to Legalize Sale of Small Turtles
Since 1975, federal health regulations have prohibited the sale of turtles with shells smaller than four inches long to prevent the spread of Salmonella. Congress rejected a proposal that could have allowed the sale of small turtles as pets. The turtle language was included in the original Senate version of the Farm Bill, but not in the final bill that was sent to the president. All types of reptiles carry Salmonella, and children may be especially likely to handle small turtles and even put them in their mouths. The ban on selling small turtles not only protects human health, but also alleviates the animal welfare and environmental consequences of the turtle trade. Countless turtles die because of poor shipping methods and inadequate care. Turtles released or escaped from the pet trade have displaced native species in many states. People who see small turtles for sale illegally can report them to the Food and Drug Administration using the contact information here.
FDA Warns Consumers about Salmonella Danger of Pet Turtles
A January 2008 consumer update from the FDA reminds people of the health risks of handling small turtles. The FDA notes that a number of people who contracted Salmonella in the past year had been exposed to a turtle (by touching, feeding, cleaning the habitat, or changing the water) shortly before they got sick. "Don't buy small turtles for pets or as gifts," advises the FDA. Children are especially vulnerable to Salmonella infection, which can cause serious illness and even death. In 2007, a Florida infant died from Salmonella from a pet turtle. The FDA publication can be found here.
Cuba Ends Hunt of Endangered Sea Turtles
Cuba declared a moratorium on sea turtle hunting, ending the annual hunt of 500 endangered Hawksbill sea turtles. Humane Society International has helped defeat Cuba's repeated requests for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species permission to trade stockpiles of shells from previous hunts—and HSI will continue this effort if Cuba tries again to relax the ban on international trade in Hawksbill shell.
