Ideally, that is the case. Unfortunately, we have to deal with the reality which is that these animals are here and the responsible thing to do is to try to establish them. Several of the people who frequent this forum are ideally suited to do that unlike the occasional person who buys them on impulse at a pet store or reptile show.
I appreciate the idea that withdrawal of support of the animal trade would ultimately end demand for the animals and stop collection but when habitat is not guaranteed, we are just choosing an alternative means of pushing these animals to extinction. The Madagascan tortoises are an example of species that will undoubtedly disappear as their habitat is "developed". I would be afraid that if no effort is made to breed these animals in captivity, there is no hope for them. Of course, we could always argue whether an existence in someone's basement or specialty zoos is better than extinction but I'll hold off on that for now.

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• Where are all the pancakes coming from? - Will A., Mon Mar 6 18:52:28 2006
• RE: Where are all the pancakes coming from? - drtom, Mon Mar 6 19:54:30 2006
• RE: Where are all the pancakes coming from? - ScottE, Tue Mar 7 07:16:35 2006
• IMPORTS IMPORTS IMPORTS........ - Matt J, Tue Mar 7 19:25:20 2006
• Don't be TOO bitter... - will a., Wed Mar 8 09:24:39 2006
• RE: Don't be TOO bitter... - simias, Wed Mar 8 11:41:39 2006
• RE: Don't be TOO bitter... - Will A., Wed Mar 8 15:03:16 2006
• RE: Don't be TOO bitter... - simias, Wed Mar 8 23:52:36 2006
• RE: Don't be TOO bitter... - Will A., Thu Mar 9 08:15:24 2006
• RE: Don't be TOO bitter... - simias, Thu Mar 9 13:54:22 2006
• RE: Where are all the pancakes coming from? - THAsia, Fri Mar 10 16:16:04 2006
• RE: Where are all the pancakes coming from? - ee, Sat Mar 11 14:38:17 2006