Tortoise Protection Group

[tpgdarren]

Hi,

10's of 1000's of tortoises are once again entering the UK from
abroad under the guise they are captive bred, this is not the case.
Most of these are originating from a Slovenian exporter, who has
apparently amassed enough breeding stock over the last 5-6 years to
produce this multi-million pound industry. It is not possible this
can be done legally; if there is such a breeding program where did
the 10's of 1000's of adults come from to support such a breeding
program, they shouldn't be taken from the wild – it's illegal. Also
the scale of the project that would be necessary to produce the
number of hatchlings exported would be unmanageable. The only
feasible explanation is they are either being taken from the wild
and/or they derive from eggs stolen from wild animals.
Both of these methods are illegal and will affect the indigenous
populations in the wild. However the UK government office, DEFRA, is
allowing these animals to enter the UK legally as Captive-bred
animals. Many are dying within a few months, some just days, of
their sale due to chronic worm infestations and other illnesses made
worse due by their stressful journey and stowage whilst being held
prior to and during their arduous journey. We have heard of
innumerable cases of these poor animals dying decades ahead of their
time.
We at the tortoise Protection Group are campaigning to stop this
happening and ask for your support. We ask you kindly join our forum
to pledge your support and we will be distributing petitions and
asking members to write to their MP's to bring this cruel trade to a
halt. You do not have to be a tortoise keeper to care for what is
happening and to make a difference.

If you are a tortoise keeper, we are in the process of collating
some of the most informative care sheets for different species on
the internet and we have experienced people willing to help with
anyone's questions.

If you have any questions at all, please ask on our forum.

PLEASE JOIN AND PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT ON OUR FORUM

TortoiseProtectionGroup : Tortoise Aid

[Lords and Ladies]

Hello darren,

Do you have an official website with information about who you are, where you're from and what you do? As opposed to the Yahoo group you've given (not very user friendly).

I'm afraid I'm a natural born cynic. I'm sure you have a good point to make but your post up there ^^ strikes me as cut and paste spamming. Understandable perhaps, I'm just saying you'll probably get a better response if you drop the sensationalism and just give open and honest facts.

I'm not in favour of tortoises being taken from the wild either, if that helps.

[tpgdarren]

Hiya

Our comprehensice website is currently under construction. A lot of research has already gone into the importation of tortoises and the suppliers. We are in contact with DEFRA concerning their unacceptable stance on tortoises being allowed entry into the country just because they last departed from an EU country. No credible evidence is required to prove they are captive bred at all. I'm sorry you think the above is sensationalism, it isn't. I personally have heard of dozens of cases of tortoises dying within a month of their purchace since christmas and many than have had to have vetinary treatment. I was speaking with Andy Highfield (Tortoise Trust) last week and he heard of two deaths in one day, imported tortoises purchased from pet shops. There are many more. We are a serious group and met with the RSPCA at Horsham only last week. We have a very good high profile contact who is talking with CITES this week. We have the support of many groups and individuals.

You are more than welcome to contact me privately.

Thank you for your interest.

Kind Regards
Darren

[balkantrek]

There is a big project currently underway in Bulgaria for the conservation of tortoises there. You may be interested to have a look at their website and to forge some links:

Conservation of Tortoises in Bulgaria - [BSPB]

I wish you success with your work! I am lucky to have seen many toroises in the wild in Bulgaria, yet each time I come across one I still feel it is a great pleasure and privilege.

[pagangirl]

'tis done.

[Paul mabbott]

Could be worth your while to post this on the Wild About the World forum - see bottom lefthand corner of this page.

Originally Posted by tpgdarren

Hi,

10's of 1000's of tortoises are once again entering the UK from
abroad under the guise they are captive bred, this is not the case.
Most of these are originating from a Slovenian exporter, who has
apparently amassed enough breeding stock over the last 5-6 years to
produce this multi-million pound industry. It is not possible this
can be done legally; if there is such a breeding program where did
the 10's of 1000's of adults come from to support such a breeding
program, they shouldn't be taken from the wild – it's illegal. Also
the scale of the project that would be necessary to produce the
number of hatchlings exported would be unmanageable. The only
feasible explanation is they are either being taken from the wild
and/or they derive from eggs stolen from wild animals.
Both of these methods are illegal and will affect the indigenous
populations in the wild. However the UK government office, DEFRA, is
allowing these animals to enter the UK legally as Captive-bred
animals. Many are dying within a few months, some just days, of
their sale due to chronic worm infestations and other illnesses made
worse due by their stressful journey and stowage whilst being held
prior to and during their arduous journey. We have heard of
innumerable cases of these poor animals dying decades ahead of their
time.
We at the tortoise Protection Group are campaigning to stop this
happening and ask for your support. We ask you kindly join our forum
to pledge your support and we will be distributing petitions and
asking members to write to their MP's to bring this cruel trade to a
halt. You do not have to be a tortoise keeper to care for what is
happening and to make a difference.

If you are a tortoise keeper, we are in the process of collating
some of the most informative care sheets for different species on
the internet and we have experienced people willing to help with
anyone's questions.

If you have any questions at all, please ask on our forum.

PLEASE JOIN AND PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT ON OUR FORUM

TortoiseProtectionGroup : Tortoise Aid

[chrissie b]

I was interested to read your article. I bought a tortoise from a pet shop and yes I know I shouldn't have done but I was so surprised to see one and went and asked why it was for sale as I thought they were banned from being imported to the UK. I was told that only Mediterranean tortoises were banned and the one I purchased was a ?Horstfeld (not sure if that's spelt right) Apparently it comes from Afghanistan. I paid about a £100 and I've had it now for 7 years. I was very fortunate to have found an expert that lived locally and she'd converted her whole back garden and sheds to keeping tortoises that had been donated to her. Her problem was that they wouldn't stop breeding and she had so many teeny tiny tortoises but she refused to sell them. She would vet people and they had to have a pair. The local vets sought her advice and there was nothing she didn't know about tortoises. She advised us not to let our one hibernate as it was under 5 years old at the time and gave us loads of advice. She also told us that tortoises were still being imported but as they were harder to come by they were importing giant tortoises and selling them to the public when they were still young and she also had a few of them that had outgrown their owner's home.

I have to say our tortoise is lovely and his name is Albert. I know it sounds daft but he knows when we call him and plods over (they can move remarkably quick when you're not watching them). His favourite food is grape (no pipes) and dead nettle and cucumber.

In the last year I have seen more tortoises for sale than ever and I know several people who have bought tortoises. Whether these are imported or not I have no idea but they can be bred over here quite easily and as in the case of cockatiels, when Australia banned their export, people found that they would breed quite easily in the right conditions over here and the cockatiels, as far as I'm aware, being sold here are all homebred.

If what you say is correct, why would they keep wanting to import tortoises when they can be bred over here fairly easily and perhaps people selling them should give some sort of certificate of authentication that they are homegrown tortoises. I am sure most responsible people given the choice would rather buy a homegrown tortoise rather than a distressed one that's travelled many miles. Good luck with your campaign