Western Painted Turtle ~ legal or not?

[Jungle Jen]

I run an exotic pet rescue agency and recently have been contcted by someone with what appears to be a Western Painted Turtle. They want to give it up but I am questioning if they are legal to keep in BC. I don't want to turn the turtle away, as it might just end up in a local pond somewhere, much like the hundreds of Red Eared Sliders people ditch when they get too big. If anybody has any information I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[Katt]

According to the Wildlife Act. The western painted is considered wildlife. It is not only native to BC, but also blue listed, as the natural populations are considered vulnerable.


http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/reg/...0.htm#section2

[Jungle Jen]

Thanks Katt, I will try to find out which store it was bought from, as she mentioned buying the turtle from a pet store. Since is it illegal, and blue listed, where should the turtle go?

[ChunkyMunky]

How would you get caught with it, i mean if you have it at your house no one would know. Sorry i think different than most people.

[Katt]

ChunkyMunky, there is such a thing as responsibility to wildlife, just because you may not get caught doesn't mean you should. Your kind of thinking is criminal, literally.

What part of vulnerable don't you understand?

Jen, I think that most likely someone caught that turtle from the wild and it should be returned to the wild or donated to a wildlife centre, like Richmond Nature park.

[Katt]

Also, you should talk to Alex off the WSPCR list she is the big turtle expert and would know better than I.

[Jungle Jen]

I tried to email Alex, but didn't get a response. I will call Richmond Wildlife Park tomorrow. I will also phone a conservation officer contact I have tomorrow. Thanks for your input.

[alexandsnakes]

Sorry Jen, I was out of town for a week, and had temporarily stopped getting e-mails from the club list, so I didn't check my hotmail for that week. I've replied now

[Jeff_Favelle]

But Chunky isn't suggesting going and catching painted turtles and selling them to other keepers. The turtle in question is a RESCUE! Why would morals of endangered wildlife be involved? They wouldn't.

Now as for whether the risk is worth it or not? That's up to you. You couldn't let it go, because there is no way to tell which population it came from. Relocating to a different population is a super no-no in the world of biology. You might be advised to euthanize it. That would suck. I'd just keep it if you can and don't post pics, don't tell anyone, and make sure it doesn't escape to a local pond.

[Katt]

Considering the turtle in question, IS endangered wildlife and thus the morals of endangered wildlife apply.

The turtle isn't a rescue, someone just doesn't want it, anymore. It be a rescue if a leg had been ripped off or something dire.

CM's thinking is the kind of thinking that can lead to trafficking in endangered wildlife.

Herpers in BC are already in a lot of trouble with all these bylaws coming to light. Let's not give more fuel to the anti reptile people. We all have to try our best to keep our noses clean and show that we are respectable people that care for our charges and for the environment. That we are not raping the land for our "selfishness" as one writer put it.

[Jungle Jen]

The turtle in question was purchased from a pet store in Vancouver 5-6 years ago, and has been kept by the one owner until now. If the animal had an illness and was released, then it would place the wild population at a great risk. If they are already blue listed, it would be a tragedy if this turtle were to pass on a possibly lethal disease. I am in touch with government officials and will be trying to find a non-destructive solution for this turtle, and it's relatives.

[Katt]

If only we could send back these endangered wild animals to where they belong. Ah well.

Good luck with the turtle and hope something can be done with it. Hopefully someone in the government is working with them.