Check out what I did to my Twitter page. Cool, heh?
I can’t believe the Vietnamese did it again.
It saddens me every time I read about our turtles being poached/killed. And it saddens me even more because these turtles have been classified as “critically endangered”. And for a reason.
People used to hunt hawksbill turtles for their meat, eggs, shells and skin. In fact, EVERY part of the hawksbill turtle could be turned into some kind of products that can be sold in the market — the meat and eggs can be eaten, the pretty shell can be made into decorative and everyday items such as combs and even the fat can be made into soaps!
When will we EVER learn that these turtles will become extinct if we continue killing them? When will we EVER learn that once extinct, our kids will only see turtles in books? When will we EVER learn to appreciate these ancient mariners who have even out-lived the dinosaurs?
hmmm, it’s sad. having to volunteer at the hawksbill turtle sanctuary really gave me a greater idea on how ‘heavy’ the responsibilities lies on conservationist to help save them. but, all those heavy duties just to see more of these unfortunate events surfacing?
hmmm.
Unfortunately this is a common practice not only in Vietnam but also in many parts of the world… they believe that turtles’ eggs are aphrodisiac. Sad story :frown:
It is heartbreaking to read such stories. Massive public outcry only can save such endangered species from extinction. Man is the only creation who destroys indiscriminately to either feed himself or for pleasure. It is only when he becomes an endangered species that he will stop.
“when the buying stops, the killing stops too,”. no truer words can be said abt situations like these. but still, i understand your geramness. those poachers should get some sense pounded into their heads.
That is truly sad :( I wish people would realize what you are saying, these animals will become extinct and then there will be no more :(
Pointing things out in a book is just not going to be as good as pointing things out in real life, why can’t these poachers understand such simplicities?
My old blog has died, through no fault of my own. Please feel free to visit the new one, a link of which is here
http://fwidman.blogspot.com/
6 years of prison is not enough. Public caning and wealth stripping on the entire family should be introduced. Let’s face it, humans are originally evil until they have been educated. Therefore for those who are yet to be “educated”, a heavy penalty is a must to put such act to a stop.
Sigh… The most difficult part, and probably the most crucial, is that the ‘culture’ of the people who consume them needs to change… through education etc, but sadly ‘culture’ and customs die hard.
That is very sad to hear. I am not sure what type of turtles they were, but my grandmother used to live in Florida and used to tell us stories about seeing turtles come and lay their eggs. Over the course of the 15 years that she lived their, she said every year there were fewer and fewer.
I think that silveraven’s comment is true. There is no doubt that the poachers hold much of the responsibility for the near extinction of these turtles, but if there was not a market for it, the poachers would not be hunting them.
How absolutely SAD. :( I have to agree with dreamer. Another example that comes to mind is with sharks and shark fin soup – and the Chinese. They throw them back into the water while they’re still alive and they just sink to the bottom. It’s absolutely frustrating. It seems rather drastic and, of course untraditional, but drastic measures need to be taken and everyone needs to take responsibility. I mean, not eating shark fin soup at a wedding? We have to put our money where the mouth is and quash that market.
Lucky you for getting to go to Nova Scotia! I bet it was amazing. I love Canada… especially British Columbia.