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THE NATION (Bangkok, Thailand) 04 June 05 Alien species harm environment
Alien species, such as turtles native to North America, are destroying Thailand’s ecological system, an academic warned yesterday.
Far from being an invasion by extra-terrestrials, the problem relates to imported plants and animals that flourish here, to the detriment of native species.
The head of the National Science Museum’s natural science research division, Jarujin Nabhitabhata, told a Bangkok seminar on alien species organised by the Thai Society of Environmental Journalists that serious commitment was needed to tackle the problem.
He said many overseas species of flora and fauna are threatening the Thai ecological system. Of them, a species of semi-aquatic turtle, the red-eared slider, (Tao Kaemdaeng) is of particular concern around Bangkok.
Jarujin said that red-eared sliders are rapidly increasing in numbers. He said the turtles, which grow up to 30cm long, are native to the United States. They can live as long as 75 years.
They were first brought to Thailand by Japanese traders who sold them as pets. Many people who bought them later abandoned them in public places after they lost their cuteness.
Jarujin said the red-eared sliders grow fast, are tolerant to the harsh environment of polluted canals, and have spread rapidly throughout Bangkok’s waterways.
“They feast on the eggs of native fish and turtles,” he said, adding that they are now damaging the local ecological system.
Jarujin said suckers, an imported fish species, are another menace. They eat the eggs of native species.
Sirikul Bunpapong, a senior official at the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, admitted that her office has not yet conducted any studies on the impact of alien species on the Thai environment. “We lack the budget and personnel for such a task,” she said. She added that a lack of understanding on the part of customs officials and the public also plays a role in this problem.
Alien species harm environment

Nice to hear the asians are having problems with one of our natives. Usually all I hear about is asian species invading the US. Of course it is the asians fault since they love to eat our turtles.
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iturnrocks.com

Well, not all of us loves to eat turtle meat. I just think thats weird and wrong (i refuse to eat turts, and it just makes me sad to see people eating em without any problems). Its just that the goverment here doesnt pay much attention to its wildlife, and the people even care less. And usually, the turts they eat are mostly native species (wich is VERY VERY BAD). The RES i usually see are for the pet trade. So, actually, its not really the alien RES's fault (not entirely anyway), but most also because of the ignorance of people. There have been some efforts by some to help the asian species, and i hope they can pull it off.
Sorry, just gotta get this thing out of my chest.
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My "babies" :
1.0.0 Indo BTS (Tiliqua gigas gigas)
0.0.1 Rainbow skinks (Mabuya multifasciata)
0.0.3 RES (Trachemys scripta elegans)
0.0.4 Amboina box turtles (Cuora amboinensis)
1.0.0 Chinese softshell (Trionyx sinensis)
1.0.0 Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata)
1.0.0 Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
And still growing...

May I point out that many fine restaurants here in NYC buy our native diamondbacked terrapins up from the fishmarket to use in turtle soup. So it is not only one particular group of individuals that are doing this. Asian turtles are in crisis because of overharvesting of endangered species but not only asian people are eating turtles.