Turtle City

In Malaysia turtles are getting support from local religious leaders.

State deputy assistant commissioner of mosque administration Kamaruddin Muhamad said the sermon would also include threats to the environment and the importance of preserving it in line with Islamic teachings.

Kamaruddin said a sermon on environmental conservation was delivered two years ago, but it did not touch on turtle conservation. Based on feedback, it was a success.

“We found that the congregation became more environmentally sensitive after the sermon in 2006. We hope we can do the same for the turtles as they are under threat.

“For now, it will be a one-off sermon, but we are willing to conduct more if necessary,” he said.

The sermon, to be read on Nov 21, follows the efforts by the Ma’Daerah Heritage Community Association (Mekar) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia to use mosques as a medium to spread the message of saving the turtles since last year.

Mekar chairman Amran Salleh is ecstatic over the decision by the state religious department to use the association’s text for the sermon.

She said many Muslims were not aware that Islam preaches conservation of natural resources and hoped it would remind people on the matter.

“The impact would be great. As a Muslim, I want to do something my religion asks me to do.

“Conservation is in the Quran although it is not highlighted enough (in public),” she said.

Get the whole story at http://www.nst.com.my

Check out these cool turtles, courtesy of National Geographic.

Could this turtle be responsible for starting the green mohawk trend and spiky lip-piercing fad commonly associated with punks?

Uploaded on October 5, 2007
by chrisvanwyksadventures

Yangtze Giant Soft-Shelled Turtles, natives of China and Vietnam are on the verge of extinction.  There are only four left in the world, one female and three males.  Sadly, news broke this week that an attempt to breed two turtles has failed because the eggs didn’t hatch.  The shells of the eggs were too thin because of the insufficient calcium in the turtle’s system.  The female turtle, who lives in a zoo in China has been put on a calcium rich diet with the hope that next year she can try to mate again.  In the mean-time the zoo has gone to great lengths to ensure the protection of the 80 year-old female by encasing her in bullet proof glass, and installing security cameras for surveillance.

It is believed that dessimation of the turtle’s natural habitat, and hunting for the purpose of consumption has led to the near extinction of the largest fresh-water turtle species.  Besides being hunted for food, the turtle’s bones were used for medicinal purposes.

I hope that whatever ailments their bones healed were worth the disappearance of the species.  This is a sad example of how human’s short-sightedness can be destructive to all.

First she was compared to a pitbull (with lipstick no less) - then a pig (again, with the lipstick), - and now she is like a turtle on a post. Seriously, turtles are quiet animals that prefer to stay out of politics. We won’t repeat the joke that seems to have infested the internet (we leave it to the excellent thebruceblog instead), but we will say, that as far as metaphors are concerned this one really nails it…even if it is at the expense of one of our own.

Check out these two blogs from people doing great things for turtles.

Look at these awesome pictures of a turtle rescue at ecopathic.blogspot.com.

And check out this story about a project that helps the preservation of the endangered Blandings Turtle at celestialrambling.blogspot.com.

It’s always a joy to report the good things that humans are doing for animals, especially those animals that are in danger of disappearing because of our wreckless behaviour toward Mother Earth.  So kudos! and thanks, people.

If you are in the state of Oregon and you’re in the market for a pet turtle it would do you well to do some research on the matter. Last week, authorities confiscated over 700 prohibited turtles from a residence in Hermiston, Oregon.  Red-eared slider turtles are illegal in the state, but that didn’t stop them from being sold in the black market.  The turtles are not native to Oregon and there is a risk that they could take over the habitats of other turtles if they are released in the wild.  Many pet turtle owners don’t realize the commitment it takes to own one of these animals, so when they no longer care to own them some owners think it’s fine to just release them.  We suggest this website for people in Oregon who have questions about whether or not their turtle is legal.

If you are in the market for a pet turtle, we suggest you buy one from a reputable pet shop to avoid any problems with the law.  And also, a reputable turtle seller will have the right information for how to take care of your pet.  Remember, turtles can live to over twenty years of age in many cases, so think twice before purchasing one.

This is a messed up story that comes to us from the state of Georgia.

A man is suing the state of Georgia for not returning his 500, turtles that they confiscated during an investigation related to the possession of said turtles. Steve Santhuff the owner of the rare turtles, was acquitted in February, but he has not gotten his critters back. Not only that, 200 of his turtles which range from the endangered to the local more common variety, have died since being in state custody. There’s all kinds of red-tape keeping this man from his pets, and the case is expected to go to Supreme Court in a couple of months.

We hope Mr. Santhuff gets the remainder of his turtle collection and that he is compensated for the emotional distress he really must be experiencing. You can’t keep a man from his turtles.

If you want to help in the preservation of turtles look to the ODFW and they’ll tell you how. Check out this story about how Washington and Oregon zoos are working with everyday people to help keep track of endangered turtles in their natural habitats.

And take a look at this inspiring picture by Darren Hoyt of a turtle, a frog and a spider.

Check out this story about a fossilized pregnant turtle discovered in Canada. The 75 million year-old fossil will give scientists more information about the evolution of reproduction of turtles and tortoises. The turtle was carrying approximately 20 eggs at the time of her death.