Those cute Red-eared Terrapins from the USA bought in a pet shop soon grow into monsters the size of a soup plate. They outgrow their tanks and their owner's appeal. Although the import into Europe has now been stopped there are still thousands of these unwanted reptiles around. Many are dumped in the wild, becoming predators of indigenous wildlife. For financial reasons it would be impractical to find a solution in England, where the climate is unsuitable.
A UK based organisation, THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP (a registered charity for the conservation of tortoises, terrapins and turtles) is co-operating within the frame work of a Pan European campaign by RANA to reduce or stop the trade in exotic species and to offer an alternative to euthanasia for those people who can no longer look after their animals and to reduce the dumping into the wild.
The Brussels based RANA takes care of reptiles and amphibians and organises their transfer to the CARAPAX centre, a large European conservation centre for tortoises and terrapins in the Tuscany hills in Italy. This centre was set up with the support of the European Commission.
A special addition to the CARAPAX centre will be built to accommodate the UK turtles "The Lousiana Project"
The cost per animal will be £25. - (one third will go towards the veterinary bill of health and the microchipping of the animal on the UK side, and two thirds will go to the CARAPAX centre for the lifelong care of the animal in a suitable climate).
THE FLIGHT
In order to do their share for animal protection VIRGIN EXPRESS sometimes carries reptiles and amphibians free of charge in order to release them in their natural habitat and their co-operation has been invaluable. The system has been in operation for the past three years within Europe and animals from Holland, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany have been transferred this way.
For further information contact
The British Chelonia Group
VIRGIN EXPRESS
THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP
RANA CARAPAX
