Egg Nests Poached - Page 2

Removed_2815 · 10-06-04, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CamHanna
Would spiny softshells really be worth poaching?

I wouldn't think so, but I am not in the underground illegal turtle trade - so I can't speculate on the "worth". There's really no need to question the motives right now, the fact is that they were taken - with evidence to suggest it was an intentional and surgically executed theft. Scott and Jeff have alluded to this turtle as being a poor animal for captivity (here). The eggs could have been taken for the pet trade, or for unfounded medicinal purposes (Snapper eggs are used as aphrodisiacs by many ignorant people and their eggs are stolen in large numbers), or so that the babies could be grown up for meat markets.
No matter what the motive is, the best anyone can do right now is to be aware that these eggs were stolen and to report any possible tips of their whereabouts to the proper authorities.
Thanks all,
Ryan

Removed_2815 · 10-06-04, 11:39 PM

But you're absolutely correct Cam, it doesn't make too much sense - it is a stupid crime. But no one ever accused this type of people as being intelligent...

Ontario_herper · 10-07-04, 09:51 AM

Is there not a strong possibility of the theft being carried out by a few drunken teenagers or someone (a non-hobbyist) who worked in the area that knew the exact location of the nests?

I see nothing wrong with (and would myself) asking assistance from the private sector in catching the vandals. It just seems like alot of blame is being thrown towards private keepers when there is a strong possibility that it was just some random idiot.

Removed_2815 · 10-07-04, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ontario_herper
It just seems like alot of blame is being thrown towards private keepers when there is a strong possibility that it was just some random idiot.

Hi Dave,
There's more to it than that, I don't know if Scott has released the details but deception was involved and all of the metaphorical "tracks" were covered - all strongly suggesting that this was not the act of some random idiot (it appears to have been methodically planned and executed). As for the blame being put on private keepers, that is the obvious conclusion that people have come to on this forum but we have an open mind as to why these eggs may have been taken (see my above post).
Regards,
Ryan

Removed_2815 · 10-07-04, 10:24 AM

Moreover, the blame is solely on the person(s) who has taken the eggs. Since we do not know who took them then there can be no blame "thrown towards private keepers." Unless, of course, the culprit is a private keeper.
R

Ontario_herper · 10-07-04, 10:31 AM

Thanks for clarifying Ryan. Hope everything is well with you.

Removed_2815 · 10-07-04, 10:39 AM

Thanks for keeping the thread alive Dave.
All the best,
Ryan

Holy Mackerel · 10-07-04, 10:53 AM

Hey Ryan,

I'm just curious if it would interest you to mention some of the legal ramifications involved with protected species.

Seeing some posts on ssnakess with educational value is always great!

Steve

VI Reptiles · 10-07-04, 11:53 AM

Who is the protector of these turtles? The goverment??? Maybe its an inside job by one of the conservation officers?? Sounds a bit wierd to me.

Holy Mackerel · 10-07-04, 12:53 PM

VI,

I'm not sure I'm following your thought.

You're thinking that a conservation officer would potentially poach a protected spp. nests?

Cake · 10-07-04, 01:15 PM

Its a big conspiricy by the MNR. They serve turtle soup at all thier meetings and their supply of snapper eggs is low. (insert sarcasm here).

Seriously though, the asain food market does have a demand for turltle meat and eggs, for soups and medicinal purposes. To me this seems a more logical explanation due to the fact they are such a poor species to keep in captivity.

The timing is of interest though, just before they would have hatched. That sounds to me like someone with some knowledge of the life cycle of this particular species. If that is the case then you can rule out "drunken teenagers".

Removed_2815 · 10-07-04, 01:26 PM

VI,
The nests were protected in the sense that they had physical nest protectors put around the nest (in an attempt to prevent animal predation and keep the nests secure for later work on flesh fly depredation and to look at hatching success, etc). The nests were left where they were laid and, thus, were not guarded (by CO's or anyone else). I am not sure what the status of the land is (this is Scott's study area) but it is inconsequential as signage does little to deter the masses anyway (people will go into an area whether it's protected land or not).

Steve,
I am not exactly sure what the legal ramifications would be as I am not aware of any precedence in Ontario (for collecting protected turtle eggs). However, we were fortunate enough to have a conviction laid on a man for killing an Eastern Hog-nosed Snake not too long ago. So the courts are stepping up and there is no longer any distinction between a protected species' eggs or the protected species itself. Hence this individual would be guilty of disturbing (or killing) x number of protected species and would ideally be culpable for each egg. Bottom line, this is a very large threat to the population so the legal ramifications should be just as large.
Ryan