Every domesticated animal came from wild stock at some point. What is the difference of taking a wild goat 4000 years ago and domesticating it and a turtle today. The Turtle Conservation Fund who recently had an excellent article in Reptiles (this month) and is comprised of leading state, gov't and researchers of turtles, promote the cultivation of DIVERSE captive populations of turtle species being harmed by human activities for the future release into the wild (if necessary) should humans find a way to live in this world that does not endanger the survival of the turtle species. You gave very good and descriptive reasons not to release the turtle (road kills, sliced up by lawn mowers and weed wackers, chewed up by cars, or intentional harm). Last time I looked, Cars and lawn mowers were not natural preditors of box turtles in nature 10,000 years ago, or even 100 years ago. If the state is unwilling to mitigate these influences or pass useful laws to curb these killings, then it is our responsibility to take the responsiblity into our own hands. Collecting does little damage to populations verse road kills, construction and destruction of their habitat, lawn mowers, maulings by dogs, or our subsidation of racoons, skunks and foxes. Its time state officials see this and make useful laws.



That's my 100 Bucks!



Mark

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