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 ATTENZIONE! Poiché la manipolazione dei rettili è potenzialmente dannosa e sempre causa di stress agli animali, soprattutto se operata da persone inesperte, invitiamo tutti gli utenti di questa sezione a non postare foto di esemplari 'maneggiati'. Questo tipo di foto d'ora in poi saranno rimosse.
Eventuali foto inerenti studi o indagini scientifiche possono essere postate previa autorizzazione da parte dei moderatori di sezione o degli amministratori.
Grazie a tutti per la collaborazione
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macromicro
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Città: Piovene Rocchette
Prov.: Vicenza
Regione: Veneto
7113 Messaggi
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 Inserito il - 03 marzo 2007 : 09:00:52
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Inserito il - 03 marzo 2007 : 09:56:25
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Sulla mailing list di Tortoisetrust ho trovato:
Certainly this is a disgraceful and criminal act.... unfortunately this is
one of the reasons why I have been quite so vocifeous in pursuing those who
have indicated a willingness to engage in identical acts - the TSA.
In the light of this, I am releasing below the full text of my letter to the
TSA (which still remains completely unanswered, despite solemn promises made
by them that they would address these matters).
My concern throughout has been to prevent tragedies like the one in Sweden,
and this latest outrage, from ever occuring again.
With that in mind, please see questions 16-23 which cut right to the heart of
this matter. Those who to date have sought to defend the TSA and attack
myself for even asking these questions are urged to note in particular the
verbatim quote from Bonnie Raphael in question 22.
Interesting to note that Chris Tabarka feels able to comment in public on
this IL massacre - yet has consistently refused to make one single comment
regarding the policies of his own friends and colleagues in TSA who are quite
evidently prepared to do exactly the same thing.
Andy Highfield
Gentlemen,
As you are aware, I have raised a number of grave concerns that I presently
have regarding certain aspects of the policy and practice current within the
Turtle Survival Alliance. I am indeed grateful that you have given Lori Green
your word that you will now answer these concerns. I would, on behalf of the
Tortoise Trust, very much like to be able to endorse and support a global
effort to work with threatened chelonia, however, I can only do so if we are
entirely satisfied on a number of critical practical and ethical points. I
applaud the effort that has gone into forming the Turtle Survival Alliance.
Much has been achieved, for which I congratulate you. That said, however,
these concerns remain, and progress on other fronts in no way diminishes the
need for these specific concerns to be addressed and, if necessary, for
certain policies or practices to change.
I do not feel that genuine progress can be sustained if we are (any of us)
prepared to turn a blind eye to deficiencies or failures. We all make
mistakes, and we need to learn from them. Policies too must be transparent
and subject to proper ethical scrutiny. Genuine concerns, raised by any means
or from any quarter must be properly and honestly addressed.
It is my sincere hope that the Turtle Survival Alliance will ultimately prove
to have policies and methods that we are able to endorse and support without
reservation. While we are indeed pro-conservation, we also feel that the
humane and animal welfare aspects cannot and should not be ignored. Both
conservation imperatives and humane aspects need to be carefully balanced.
One should not be sacrificed on the alter of the other. It is our view that
these two aspects are certainly not mutually exclusive, and that it is
perfectly possible to reconcile the two in a practical sense that also meets
certain minimum ethical standards.
The specific concerns that we have are listed below. I apologise in advance
for the length of this, but quite a number of separate areas of concern
exist. I hope that you will address these in sufficient detail to set our
minds at rest, in order that we can overcome the obstacles that cause us to
hesitate in supporting the effort you have initiated.
I appreciate that an instant reply to such complex issues is impossible, but
I would appreciate an acknowledgement that you have received this, and some
indication of when a full and considered response will be forthcoming.
Yours truly,
Andy C. Highfield
Director - Tortoise Trust
1. Would the TSA explain precisely what measures it takes to ensure that
animals it receives receive an adequate and professional level of husbandry
following their confiscation? Specifically, are facilities inspected in any
way, or at any time, and is there any mechanism for verification?
2. In the event of it becoming apparent that TSA animals are being maintained
in seriously sub-standard conditions, what action would be taken to correct
the situation?
3. Has the TSA ever intervened, in any case, where concerns have been raised
about the conditions of maintenance, and if so, what action was taken?
4. Would the TSA please comment upon the following report on dietary
management at Mr. Weinberg's premises?
"In the mornings, Weinberg goes to a local grocery store and picks up
thousands of pounds of produce trimmings and adds it to hundreds of bread
loaves, pies, doughnuts and muffins stocked in a cooler for the reptiles.
"They'll eat anything. They're not real fussy," he said, throwing bread into
the ponds and watching as dozens of little heads pop out of the water and
swim slowly toward the meal.
With more than 60 species of turtles - as well as a few rhino iguanas,
hundreds of green tree frogs and even a two-headed snake - Weinberg said he's
been working with the animals long enough to know what each kind requires. "
Does the TSA feel that this is the kind of example of chelonian husbandry its
most senior members should be setting? What message does this send out? What
action will be taken in this regard?
5. What steps does the TSA take to establish the bona fides of persons
entrusted with their animals? Specifically, what kind of criminal conviction
or allegation of criminal activity would exclude an individual from
involvement or from holding any kind of management post?
6. Is the TSA aware that Mr. Weinberg was specifically named in connection
with the alleged laundering of a federally protected species, Clemmys
insculpta, via Ohio? This report appeared in Notes from Noah and was widely
circulated in Herp Digest.
7. Why should persons concerned about turtle conservation have any confidence
in an organization that appoints to its central committee people who have
been openly named in connection with unlawful activities involving endangered
wildlife?
8. Are any TSA partners involved in the export of turtles from the USA to
Asia for any purpose? If so, which persons, which species, and for what
purpose?
9. Will the TSA unequivocally and without reservation condemn the export of
live turtles from the US to the food markets of Asia?
10. Does the TSA have any view on the humane aspects of exporting live
turtles to the food markets in Asia? What action, if any, would be taken
against any TSA partner found to be implicated in such trade?
11. There are credible reports of sick turtles being "dumped" into Mr.
Weinberg's open outdoor ponds without receiving adequate veterinary
treatment. It is reported that very few, if any, of these animals now
survive. Would the TSA please explain exactly what happened and provide
numbers and details of species of the animals involved? One report states
"The decision was made to "triage", and only animals deemed placeable through
AZA homes were treated - the rest received little or no treatment and were
dumped in Al Weinberg's ponds, despite clear veterinary evidence of sepsis,
dehydration, starvation and the very strong probability of communicable
disease transmission to native fauna".
12. What was the biological and sanitary status of the ponds used to receive
the Kadoorie turtles? Had they not been previously occupied by other species?
How was cross-contamination prevented? What is the status of these ponds now
- how is waste water dealt with, and what risk assessment has been carried
out by the TSA regarding the potential to contaminate the Florida habitat
with introduced pathogens from Asia? Will these ponds ever be re-used for
other species, and if so, how will biological quarantine be maintained?
13. Does the TSA endorse the mixing of species from different continents and
localities? If not, what measures does it have in place to prevent this
occurring in holding areas or subsequently, in collections? Specifically, in
connection with facilities that are being utilized for commercial purposes,
how can mutual cross-contamination with micro-organisms realistically be
prevented? How is contagion between open ponds that are in such close
proximity prevented?
This is an extremely serious issue, and cannot be ignored, particularly in
areas where there are high densities of native chelonia. One mistake in this
area could have catastrophic consequences not only for indigenous wildlife
but also for human health. Potentially zoonotic diseases have repeatedly been
recorded in imported Asian turtles. In my opinion, there can be no compromise
over issues of transmittable disease. This is a risk that we should not run.
Quarantine protocols must be beyond reproach. It is plain to me that during
the Kadoorie operation, there were very grave deficiencies in this area.
Frankly, the damage may have already been done, and it could be years before
we become aware of it. As an absolute priority, these fundamental errors must
never be repeated. I would sincerely hope that the TSA is in full agreement
with this position.
14. If species have been mixed or subject to indirect cross-contamination by
potentially pathogenic agents, what impact does this have upon their status
as assurance colonies, or upon the potential for them or their progeny as
suitable candidates for ultimate release?
15. Would the TSA care to explain why one of their Steering Committee members
(Mr. Weinberg again) was actually displaying tanks containing mixed species,
from different continents, Asia and North America, at the recent expo in
Daytona? I understand Lori Green actually took photographs of this, which I
am sure she will be willing to make available to you.
Please comment on the example this sets to other keepers, enthusiasts and
supporters who are consistently warned to avoid such practices at all costs.
What are they supposed to think when they see a TSA Steering Committee and
Confiscation Task Force coordinator doing the very thing they have been
repeatedly asked (for very good reasons) to avoid?
16. Please elucidate the policy of the TSA on 'triage' / euthanasia. Under
precisely what circumstances would turtles be euthanised?
17. Please explain exactly what is meant by the following recommendations of
your 'Confiscation Task Force' as reported in your meeting minutes:
a) Ability to triage based on conservation value and limited resources.
b) Ability to provide humane care (including euthanasia) for all animals as
determined by their triage evaluation
18. Will the TSA give absolute, inviolable guarantee that no healthy, viable
turtle would ever be euthanised at their request? If not, does the TSA
acknowledge that it foresees circumstances where it would condone the killing
of healthy, viable turtles or tortoises?
19. Is it not the case that it has been determined that any euthanasia should
be carried out secretly in situ, for example, in Asia, rather than in Europe
or the US, to avoid the resulting negative publicity?
20. Explain the moral and ethical difference between the Swedish government's
euthanasia/slaughter of 1,000 T. horsfieldii a few years ago and any similar
action contemplated by the TSA where turtles are found not to possess
adequate 'conservation value' or where they are determined to be a drain on
'resources'.
21. In the event that animals are not considered of adequate conservation
value to the TSA or where the TSA regards them as a waste of resources, will
the TSA give a binding undertaking that rescue groups will be given the
opportunity to step in and save these animals from medically unnecessary
euthanasia?
22. Please comment upon the words of Bonnie Raphael, during the TSA Steering
Committee meeting of March 9 2002 that the TSA should "Tell rescue groups
that TSA is going to euthanize animals unless they take them" and state how
this kind of blatant blackmail could possibly be ethically justified? Would
the TSA actually carry out this threat?
23. What was the reason for TSA taking the decision to sever existing ties
and not to initiate any new ties with HSUS or World Society for the
Protection of Animals? Was it not the fact that these organizations would
find the proposed euthanasia protocols and continued commercial exploitation
of the progeny of confiscated animals as endorsed by the TSA completely
unacceptable?
24. While the food markets remain the overwhelming issue for turtles in Asia,
in the US and Europe the pet trade plays a not insignificant role in the
decline of many species, not to mention their abuse in the process. The TSA
has expressed view on the food market situation: what is the TSA position on
the role of the pet trade, and the wild-caught pet trade in chelonia
specifically? Of special interest would be some explanation as to the direct
involvement of TSA committee members and partners in promoting and
participating in such trade? I would stress that I believe that a line can be
drawn between legitimate, legal herpetoculture involving trade in genuine,
sustainable captive-bred stock, and trade involving wildcaught reptiles.
25. Does the TSA not recognize that by permitting animals that are bred from
confiscated stock to be sold at market value, and by placing rare and
valuable animals under the direct control of private collectors and
commercial dealers, this has two very obvious drawbacks: a) There are almost
incalculable possibilities for fraud b) The TSA could be viewed as an
excellent 'free source' of hitherto unobtainable and prohibited species by
those motivated not by any desire to further conservation, but by a desire to
expand their collections and turn a profit?
26. Precisely what mechanisms are in place to prevent such abuses, and what
spot checks are carried out to verify the results of self-reporting?
27. How many individuals acting as coordinators, committee members or
advisers to the TSA have animal-related criminal convictions, and what do
those convictions involve? You are clearly in possession of this information,
as your published membership forms have requested it from all applicants. I
am not requesting disclosure of actual names, merely the statistics.
Tortoise Trust Link
Chelonian Education and Training Link
Carapace Press Link
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monitarta
Utente V.I.P.
Città: Massa Marittima
Prov.: Grosseto
Regione: Toscana
170 Messaggi
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Inserito il - 03 marzo 2007 : 10:12:18
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...senza parole...
e poi si parla tanto di conservazione della specie, di biodiversità, ecc???
roba da matti!!!!
monica |
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