Exploit of Russian tortoises

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Posted by Hidde on June 11, 2000 at 14:12:42:

In Reply to: Re: Russian tortoise to be on CITES? posted by Terry on June 11, 2000 at 12:50:30:

Terry,
I remember the situation 4~5 years ago, when I was looking
for some russian tortoises. I remember it was not so easy to
find ones as it is today. Finally I found two tortoises
at a petshop 120 miles away. The shop was not a general pet
shop, but a reptile-specializing shop. I paid $85 for each.
Then Russian tortoises started appearing everywhere and
the price dropped as low as $30. Lately you will find them
even at general pet shops like PetCo.

As I keep WC tortoises, maybe I am not a right person to say this,
but I guess the situation is too bad for Russian tortoises.
I saw hundreds of russian tortises only in my town.
I have heard of a shop which got a thousand of russina tortoises
and sold them only for $20. I can easily imagine
what is going on about russian tortoises.

I am not saying that only serious hobbyists including myself have
a privilege to buy tortoises, but I guess something must be
done to stop this uncontrolled pet trade. I love my russian tortoises
and feel like I want more tortoises when I expand the pen.
But I would not mind if russian tortoises were listed on CITES and
it became hard to get ones and the price became as high as it used to be.

I have three mature russian tortises and another reaching
the breeding age. I have not succeeded breeding them so far,
but someday, I wish I will see some offsprings from my tortoises.
It will be so wonderful someday if many people start breeding
russian tortoises and exchanging hatchlings among hobbyists.

: Hi Hidde,
: first I've heard of it, but who knows with so many being taken from the wild each year. Mostly juveniles, so that is really depleating future breeding populations.That's like getting rid of all the human teenagers as they reach maturity, at some point it's going to have a huge impact.

: As we all know *some* pet stores will do or say anything to sell the animals.
: As Heather said, very sad, and another reason why captive breeding is important.
: Terry.

Follow Ups:

Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Eric T. 06/11/00 (2)
- Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Heather 06/11/00 (1)
  - Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Hidde 06/12/00 (0)
Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Tort 06/11/00 (8)
- Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Tort 06/12/00 (0)
- Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Eric T. 06/12/00 (5)
  - Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Heather 06/12/00 (4)
    - Thanks Heather, but... Hidde 06/12/00 (1)
      - Whoops...didn't mean to be a gender-bender... Heather 06/14/00 (0)
    - Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Eric T. 06/12/00 (1)
      - Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Heather 06/14/00 (0)
- Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Heather 06/12/00 (0)
Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Terry 06/11/00 (1)
- Re: Exploit of Russian tortoises Hidde 06/12/00 (0)

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Comments:
: Terry, : I remember the situation 4~5 years ago, when I was looking : for some russian tortoises. I remember it was not so easy to : find ones as it is today. Finally I found two tortoises : at a petshop 120 miles away. The shop was not a general pet : shop, but a reptile-specializing shop. I paid $85 for each. : Then Russian tortoises started appearing everywhere and : the price dropped as low as $30. Lately you will find them : even at general pet shops like PetCo. : As I keep WC tortoises, maybe I am not a right person to say this, : but I guess the situation is too bad for Russian tortoises. : I saw hundreds of russian tortises only in my town. : I have heard of a shop which got a thousand of russina tortoises : and sold them only for $20. I can easily imagine : what is going on about russian tortoises. : I am not saying that only serious hobbyists including myself have : a privilege to buy tortoises, but I guess something must be : done to stop this uncontrolled pet trade. I love my russian tortoises : and feel like I want more tortoises when I expand the pen. : But I would not mind if russian tortoises were listed on CITES and : it became hard to get ones and the price became as high as it used to be. : I have three mature russian tortises and another reaching : the breeding age. I have not succeeded breeding them so far, : but someday, I wish I will see some offsprings from my tortoises. : It will be so wonderful someday if many people start breeding : russian tortoises and exchanging hatchlings among hobbyists. : : : Hi Hidde, : : first I've heard of it, but who knows with so many being taken from the wild each year. Mostly juveniles, so that is really depleating future breeding populations.That's like getting rid of all the human teenagers as they reach maturity, at some point it's going to have a huge impact. : : As we all know *some* pet stores will do or say anything to sell the animals. : : As Heather said, very sad, and another reason why captive breeding is important. : : Terry.

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