Dear Figg, this is something that should cross every tortoise keepers mind. Your points and Vic M's are both good ones, and most of us who breed wish the buying public would support our efforts...after of course we have our founder stock, all of which comes from the wild at some point. This is philosophy, but it is fact that tons of Chelonians are destined for food and pharmacy, and probably that should be stopped or regulated with vigor. I know at least 3 breeders of Russians that are restricting production because of the hassle to market them...with imports being sold so cheap and gullible beginning keepers buying them and spending so much more with Vet bills etc. it is hard for us to compete economically.



The politics of 3rd world countries often dictates what is exported, and buying countries have an insatiable demand, which will be met lawfully or by black market. We need to have ethics and limit our consumption, and supporting captive breeders and buying from them is a start. This is a real can of worms, with a lot of perspectives and no easy solution. Vic H.

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