Other Turtle Discussion :: Red ear slider ban in Australia

[ahguiturtle]

Recently, I get to know that red ear slider is banned in Australia. Anyone keeps them can fine or sentence to jail term. Australia govt claimed red ear slider can pose threat to the wildlife. Is it possible to have other ways to solve the problem rather than enforcing such law? It can deprive the right of keeping red ear slider as pet from responsible owners. Responsible owners will not allow themselves to left their pets in the wild.

[steve]

Seems like there is no private way to legally keep them. I would guess "public display purposes" would mean an institution like a zoo.

...while it is illegal to keep any non-native turtle (including sliders) in australia as pets, illegally-held sliders have been seized in all australian jurisdictions except the Northern territory. in tasmania it is illegal to keep any turtles or tortoises as pets, even australian native species, and any seen in the wild there will be escaped or released animals.

It is illegal to keep red-eared sliders in Queensland. They are not allowed to be imported into Australia without a permit and can only be used for public display purposes.

The red-eared slider is Class 1 declared animal under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. They must be controlled where found. It is also an offence to introduce, keep, import, sell, release, feed or transport this pest without a permit issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, attracting fines of up to $60 000.

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/impor ... ralert.pdf
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Bio ... arning.pdf

[theartbook35]

Australia has had so many issues with invasive species, and red eared sliders would be another destructive force. There is going to be some moron or two out there that'll get sick of having a big turtle, release it, and then you have an invasive species.

[VeipaCray]

Can your RES be grandfathered in... IE you had it as a family pet before the law was made? The law refers to RES as a "pest" *sniff*

[Spike 7.62]

Australia doesn't need any more invasive species, they are understandably defensive of their natural habitats. I'm sure there are equally great turtles that can be had "down under", RES really are little survivors and will adapt and compete with local animals if introduced.

- Spike