I was in charge of the emys that came in the TSA's 2001 confiscated shipment from Hong Kong. The bigger turtles and tortoises were drilled through the Marginal scutes to make a numerated sequence using the 24 marginals to code a number of tortoises much larger than 24 study animals. The holes were also to assure they didnt get into the pet trade down the road somewhere. I saw it being done, none of us liked it and the person doing it was very good and quick about it. I saw only a few bleed a little. There was 65 emys but hundreds and thousands of other kinds of turtles from the 4.5 TOM shipment. There were Vets on hand as they went from table to table get drilled, blood samples, sex (my part)and notes of their health and injuries. They were sent out to Zoo's and private breeders around the USA to form "Assurence Colony's" Some, are reproducing in captivity, which is clearly "Defying Destiny" Now you know "the hole story". VM........pic of a emys emys that was in that TSA confiscated shipment.

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