Spiny Softshell Turtle nests stolen from research site in Ontario

S Gillingwater · 09-16-04, 09:33 AM

In late July/early August, multiple Spiny Softshell Turtle nests were stolen from a research site along the Thames River. If you have any information about this incident or on the sale of this species in Canada please contact me at the below number and email or contact the Aylmer District Ministry of Natural Resources office at (519)773-4700.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at:
1-800-222-TIPS.

Authorities are still investigating this situation, but we are now going public to find the people involved and to highlight poaching issues in Ontario. This is a situation that can not be tolerated, as it comprimises both the species in the wild, and the research data being collected.

Thank you,
Scott D. Gillingwater
Chair, Spiny Softshell Turtle Recovery Team
Species at Risk Biologist
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
(519) 451-2800 ext. 236
gillingwaters@thamesriver.on.ca

Jeff Hathaway · 09-17-04, 08:19 AM

Hey Scott,

What terrible news! Hard to imagine anyone stealing softshells, when a) they're such lousy pets b) they're immediately recognizable as 'not the usual pet turtle' and c) they're SO cheaply available legally in the US should anyone decide that they just have to have one!

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Shad0w · 09-22-04, 09:46 AM

Has anyone ever thought it might have been a kid that found the nest and excitedly collected the eggs?

Cummon now, I remember back when I was younger... I would have done similar...

Do we really need to call it poaching?
I highly doubt the intent was to profit from this.
Spiny softshells can be had on the market for CHEAP!

S Gillingwater · 09-22-04, 10:37 AM

Hi Jeff,
I agree completely.. there are few reasons why this should have happened. One of the worst pets I can think of in terms of providing proper care, housing and dealing with temperment.

Shadow,
the nature of the nest removal indicated that the parties involved knew what they were doing, and unfortunately multiple nests were taken. At any rate, the eggs were removed illegally, meaning that they were poached.
In this case it does not matter if the intent was to profit or not. The significance here is that the eggs of a threatened species were illegally removed from a long-term research program, and such acts should not occur.
I'm not sure if you are writing from the U.S. or Canada, but in Canada there is illegal trade in native species and in the recent past there has been profit made by this trade within Canada. I have personally witnessed the sale of Apalone s. spinifera in Ontario for $100.00 per turtle. Authorities are aware of these locations, but it is rare that they would be sold like this in the open for all to see.

Florida, smooth and chinese softshells are occasionally available for sale in Ontario for considerably less money, but usually for about $50. Yes, in the U.S., softshells are available cheap, but rarely in Ontario.
As with any type of poaching issues you can not remain passive, assuming it was a kid, this type of reaction could jeopardize a wildlife research program and future efforts. In the case that it was a child, he or she would be taught to respect wildlife and conservation programs.
So whether or not the eggs were removed for personal pets, personal interest, commercial sale, food or for traditional medicine it is both illegal and detrimental to long-term research and to the continuing goals of recovery teams.
Scott

Shad0w · 09-22-04, 10:48 AM

Ahhh long are the days when a kid could find a turtle and bring it home as a pet

Well, S Gillingwater, I hope you recover your eggs, and yes I agree with you.. multiple nests being taken probably means it was someone that did know what they were doing...

In terms of softshells..... Im a big fan of them and would love to see them make a recovery here in Ontario...

With regards to the pet trade, I would say florida, smooth and chinese are fairly available here in canada, and can be had as little as $30, well, at least that was the case couple of years ago. Oh and yes Ive seen spineys being sold too...

Anyhow.. good luck with your efforts

Jeff Hathaway · 09-23-04, 07:03 AM

Shadow,

Even a good while ago, it was against the law for a kid to bring home a wild turtle as a pet. That didn't stop many kids, and it doesn't today, either. If a kid takes home a turtle, they aren't likely to go to jail for it! That isn't really the point of the law. But, it can (and should) be taken away and returned to its original locality if possible. There are some reasons when this may not be a good idea, such as if it has been kept in a tank with sliders, etc.

I agree with you that there may have been others behind the theft than the 'pet trade'; hopefully the culprits will be caught and then we'll know for sure.

Scott,

Wish I could talk to you about this in more detail at the TAG meeting, but I won't be able to attend- I'm booked at a mall in Scarborough for the whole week. The illegal trade you mentioned in A. s. spinifera- was that 'for pets'? What kind of idiocy is that??? I've always thought that Ontario's illegal trade in turtles, especially softshells, was centred around their use as food (cross-border smuggling issues aside, of course).

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!