Yes I find it stimulating, along with countless other naturalists who responsibly and respectfully record their findings. Its also rewarding when findings that you have contributed to are published or used in data collection - not that it needs to be the foremost reason for doing it Personal inquisitiveness is a must for us all, as keepers of animals, to make us more aware not only of the requirements of the animals we keep, but also an understanding of the "way of the world" - deep rooted links, negatives and positives of man made issues and the pressures he puts on populations of the said animals. That way as responsible human beings we can make educated decisions on issues that shouldnt be judged secondhand, as often many lesser involved people do.

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Coast to Coast Exotics www.coasttocoast.co.uk
Legendary reptile breeder and shop
Zoo Logic UK Ltd - Importer/exporter/wholesaler.
http://www.zoo-logic.co.uk/

If you supply your animals at wharf aquatics then you should by now have met shaun who works up there part time whilst at uni and saving money to do his work in central america ? He's into the same sort of stuff you are.

Which makes it even harder to believe that these outlets STILL sell all those poor unfortunate torts taken from Slovenia
Nah sorry, I do not buy that!

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Take care
Sue

www.tortsmad.com
wizzasmum@aol.com

I know Gaz, but have never met Shaun. I know Richard also, one of the main fish guys at Wharf, he is also in a similar vein and is also planning a trip into the Amazon. Perhaps it would be good to have a chat with Shaun next time I'm in contact with them.

__________________
Coast to Coast Exotics www.coasttocoast.co.uk
Legendary reptile breeder and shop
Zoo Logic UK Ltd - Importer/exporter/wholesaler.
http://www.zoo-logic.co.uk/

He's in sat, sun and mon i believe but it would be interesting for the both of you.

not to offend but this to me sounds more like a very wealthy pet shop owner going on lots of personal and expensive holidays and while there as a tourist with pen and pad writing notes to himself while pretending to do some serious study so shop employees back home don't feel narked the owner is going away on luxery holidays doing nothing but is infact saying to them he is working for benefit of the shop.

sorry It just appears from the pic a tourist taking holiday snap shots if this is not the case, where and who to is all this data you have collected going to to aid research

Just had to reply to this thread. V-Max posts up and informative thread and then is questioned and people surmising in quite a condesending manner, no wonder people avoid this section sometimes. Questions are good but there is a polite way to do so!!

I love seeing pics of herps in their natural habitat, I think this is very important to aid our husbandry.

Lovely pics, really enjoyed seeing them.

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Stickly K and L kleys on kleyboard - GRRRR!!!!!

www.ratsnakefoundation.org

Loads of competitions running NOW for our birthday!!!

Personally, I too would find it difficult that someone who has had the honour of seeing tortoises in their natural environment would want to support the trade coming in from Slovenia.

All those who I have spoken to that have seen/studied torts in their natural environment have become passionate about the trade in importation.

Just my opinion, of course.

Tamie

I have lots of pics of torts in their natural habitat, No-one is questioning that. It has however been asked twice now what this particular field trip was in conjunction with. For several years I gave up all my annual leave to work at a sanctuary. Don't get me wrong I loved it but it was not just a few days out from a general break taking pics it was lots of hard work to an end. We were ALWAYS told not to pickup torts in the wild for reasons already mentioned. Sometimes of course there is no choice but it should never be done without giving the animal the opportunity to replenish those supplies, which judging by the weights of some recent deaths has not been made possible for the poor creatures.

__________________
Take care
Sue

www.tortsmad.com
wizzasmum@aol.com

what do you mean you don't buy it ?