Turtlesco - Tesco Turtle Petition

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Dear all my human friends,

I have just read and signed the petition: "Help persuade Tesco to stop selling live turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) in China"

Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference.Please help to stop this cruelty to these precious turtles, see how they are tortured and butchered. We can make a difference. Please sign here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/518761759

We are asking Tesco to cease selling Chinese softshell turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) due to conservation and animal welfare issues surrounding this activity.

Reason 1 - Threat of extinction.
Two thirds of the world’s turtles are threatened with extinction.
For Asian species, the figure is 75%. This is primarily the result of human consumption.
- Despite legislation restricting trade in many turtle species, enforcement is weak, and many internationally and nationally protected species still find their way onto Chinese plates.
- Up to 20 million turtles a year are consumed in China, and in 2000 alone, 25 tons were imported from Sumatra each week.
- Any action that endorses or participates in this devastating trade pushes wild turtles one step closer to extinction.

Reason 2 - Wild population hunting.
Turtle farming does not eliminate hunting pressures on wild populations and represents a major threat to the survival of wild turtles.
- Successive generations of farm-raised turtles show a marked decrease in reproductive capability. Farms therefore rely on supplementing existing stocks with wild-caught individuals. Wild turtles are also caught to establish new breeding facilities.
- Turtle species on farms are hybridised and escape into the wild, and high levels of parasites and water-born pollutants are discharged into the environment. Turtle farms therefore also endanger the health and viability of local wildlife.
- Chinese consumers believe that wild-caught individuals possess more potent tonic qualities. Wild turtles therefore continue to be exploited.

Reason 3 - Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the sole remaining species of soft shell turtle sold in Tesco’s Chinese outlets, the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), as Vulnerable as a result of harvesting for food.
- This means that Pelodiscus sinensis “is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term” as a result of population reduction.
- Because of the reasons set out under reason 1 and 2, Tesco should therefore cease all live turtle sales in its Chinese stores, including those of Pelodiscus sinensis.

Thanks

-Pak Cipan-

www.sukarelawan.active.ws