Endangered Sea Turtles To Be Killed After Experiments At UBC

[Animal 0]

Endangered Sea Turtles To Be Killed After Experiments At UBC

Is killing an endangered species ever justified? A University of B.C. research team plans to kill seven endangered turtles after their research is complete, and they are defending their actions.

According to a Vancouver Sun report, the ten-year research project focused on turtle diving depths, global fishing policies, and the impact of climate change on the turtles. Bill Milsom, head of UBC's zoology department, reports that in the past twenty years, over 85,000 green sea turtles died from being accidentally caught in fishing nets. Fishing nets also kill an estimated one thousand whales, dolphins, and porpoises every year. To cut down on the turtle death count, the UBC study aims to make recommendations on the placement of fishing nets based on the animal's diving depth.

The study began as a minimally invasive project, implanting tiny devices in the skin of the turtles to determine the impacts of climate change. But the turtles will need major surgery for the final chapter of the research project, which will study why the turtles die when caught in the nets. After the observations are complete, researchers plan to increase the anesthesia until the turtles die.

Milsom explains to Vancouver Sun why they plan to kill the turtles. First, the turtles are legally prohibited from being released into the wild. Due to their long time in captivity, they could infect other animals with parasites or bacteria. Second, nearby aquariums aren't open to taking the sea turtles because they require a large living space. Lastly, Milsom explains that part of the turtle experiment is to harvest their tissues.

Also, the building that is housing the turtle tank is set for demolition -- Milson claims that this did not motivate their decision to kill the turtles. According to Milsom, "As biologists our passion is animals... The work we do is ultimately to the end of conservation and many experiments require some animals to be sacrificed."

Milsom's explanations aren't enough for many animal activists, who are shocked that biologists plan to kill an endangered species -- three of the seven existing sea turtle species are critically endangered. Sea turtles have recently suffered from the BP oil spill, although a NY Times report suggests that most of the 600 turtles found dead during the spill were actually killed by fishing operations... operations that Milsom's team is trying to improve.

Ultimately, it seems that the UBC research group has offered two very different explanations. If the group is killing the sea turtles because they simply don't have anywhere else to put them, many people will argue that there are other options still available. Turtles should not be killed because there is a large amount of paperwork required to relocate the animal. If it's an issue of money since no nearby aquarium can afford to house the turtles, then the group could look into fundraising options. If the school is planning to demolish the building that contains the turtles, then perhaps the school should take responsibility for the living creatures that inhabit the building.

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AdvertisementBut the other explanation that UBC offers is a bit murkier on the ethical scale. Milsom claims that the final aspect of their research involves invasive surgery and tissue harvesting. Assuming that the research is a success and nets are placed to avoid catching turtles, is it worth seven turtles dying in order to halt a death toll that is now over 85,000? Should seven turtles be sacrificed in the hopes of saving thousands more?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/05/endangered-sea-turtles-killed-ubc_n_831325.html

[Animal 0]

Elles pourraient plutôt être envoyées en Angleterre, dans un aquarium !!!!!!!

Endangered green sea turtles may get new lease on life
U.K.-based Sea Life Centres, which operates more than 30 aquariums in Europe and Minnesota, working on exchange with UBC
By Kim Pemberton, Vancouver Sun March 9, 2011 Seven endangered green sea turtles slated to be killed this spring as part of a University of B.C. study into their diving depths may have won a reprieve.

A United Kingdom-based entertainment group, which operates more than 30 aquariums in European countries as well as Sea Life Minnesota, has offered to take UBC's young turtles in exchange for old or injured turtles reaching the end of their lives.

"We're naturally thrilled that we may be able to win a reprieve for the seven turtles and will spare no efforts to make this plan work if at all feasible," said Sea Life Centres spokesman Mark Oakley.

UBC zoology department head Bill Milsom said the university is willing to work with Sea Life to see if the alternative can be arranged. But he said Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) must approve the idea and permits must be obtained to transfer the turtles.

"They [Sea Life] are happy to explore it, and we'll see what comes of it," said Milsom. "The bottom line for us is our researchers would still be able to do terminal experiments but not on young turtles, but on turtles that would die anyways."

Milsom said green sea turtles normally live for about 30 years, but Oakley said they have a longer lifespan, noting one of Sea Life's oldest green turtles is 72.

Milsom said the seven turtles in question, which are more than 10 years old, were obtained from the Cayman Islands Turtle Farm and would have been slaughtered for their meat anyway if UBC hadn't acquired them.

They were among 16 turtles brought to UBC strictly for research purposes in 1997 and 2003. Two of the turtles died and seven others were retired to educational facilities between 2002 and 2005. He said the plan all along was for the remaining seven turtles to be killed following the final experiments.

"The [final] experiments have to be done on a live animal but will result in its death," said Milsom.
"The question is: Could they be done on other turtles in other facilities?" CITES very strictly controls the movement of all animals on the endangered list and doesn't allow them to go to for-profit organizations, Milsom said.

"They can go to another research facility and some public aquariums meet that," Milsom said.

Oakley said he believes Sea Life, which is part of the Merlin Entertainments Group, can satisfy the research requirement because they "routinely conduct behavioural and dietary research with our turtles as well as other non-invasive studies."

"What is certain is if we house them they will not only assist our own research but will be the focus of educational talks and presentations to visitors helping raise awareness of the plight of wild turtles and of conservation efforts around the world."

Sea Life is liaising with UBC to start the paperwork, and will pay for all the relocation costs if approval is granted.

Oakley said it could take six to 12 months to get the various governments to approve both export and import licences.

Milsom said UBC would be willing to keep the turtles during that time, if Sea Life is able to get approval.

"I wouldn't want to get anyone's hopes up and this doesn't turn out," he said.

Meanwhile, UBC's animal research web page went live Tuesday, and will soon have an update on the turtles.

Milsom said the web page will help explain UBC's animal research to the public and discuss what researchers do with the animals and why.

kpemberton@vancouversun.com

Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

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