ExoticReptilesNZ Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Long time, no forum. For those who don't know me, I did a PhD on exotic reptiles in NZ (http://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/bitstr ... sequence=1). Again, a big thank-you to those of you who took part in my Salmonella survey. I've spent a large portion of this year in China doing native turtle conservation work (challenging in a culture that simply wants to eat them) as well as investigating the impact of introduced red-eared slider turtles on native species... A few pics below. Hope everyone and their herps are doing well. Markets. Baby Reeves at University. Big red-eared slider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 welcome back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I find the best way to save a species is to eat it. You get people who are more dedicated to breeding them and raising them, Worked with Tigers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I find the best way to save a species is to eat it. You get people who are more dedicated to breeding them and raising them, Worked with Tigers... Fair enough. Red-eared sliders are rampant over there, but apparently the Chinese consider them "inferior" to the native (and endangered) species. Many more native species make it into the dinner pot, unfortunately. Any ideas on how to change a long-ingrained, cultural way of thinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 welcome back Thanks, Mark. Hope you are doing well. I'd love to catch up soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Hope everyone and their herps are doing well. Did I miss something? herps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Did I miss something? herps? I meant folk's collections of frogs and reptiles...not venereal disease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Any ideas on how to change a long-ingrained, cultural way of thinking? Find alternatives with fewer bones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 haha awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 good to see you are still following your dream we are still ticking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Fair enough. Red-eared sliders are rampant over there, but apparently the Chinese consider them "inferior" to the native (and endangered) species. Many more native species make it into the dinner pot, unfortunately. Any ideas on how to change a long-ingrained, cultural way of thinking? I am chinese, and i also find it disturbing. but then again i understand in a country where any food is food, well, you cant blame them in a way. in saying that, therre are certain things that they do that are based on superstition. tiger balls, even turtles i think are consumed for supernatural beliefs. which is stupid. the problem here is CULTURE, not race. In my completely upfront opinion having seen that side of the culture and growing up in a modern western country and assimilating in it. I believe that the problem is any human groups that practice old 'customs and culture' are primitive. this holds many societies back, asia is very bad with this, so is africa. it stops progress. china is quite modern yet in some ways not. they are very smart in a lot of ways but still believe in superstition whcih is really an oxymoron. how do you stop it? easy - you set up what you could call a world police:) ok maybe not easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Good points, Henward. I found it really interesting that some animals were regarded as very special (i.e., swallows) and were automatically protected and revered, whereas other animals (i.e., turtles) have always been regarded as a food item. It's just how it is, and there is no easy way to change a long-standing and traditional aspect of a culture. Admittedly, I did have a few "Why am I bothering?" moments...China is a very challenging place to do turtle conservation, but a fascinating place as well. I am hoping to head back next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 My sister has spent most of her life in Western Samoa were they also regard the sea turtles and eggs as food. They have been trying to get the message about not eating but protecting across and seem to have had a measure of success. They have been hammering the message into the kids at school and they go home and put a flea in mum and dads ear. She said things have improved a lot. The churches have a big influence there as well and they have been doing their thing as well. Henwood, I respect the fact that you are Chinese when giving your opinion on superstition. My best man was Chinese and we spent a lot of time together from the time we were kids. They do have superstiions in relation to food and medicine and frequently eat their medicines at the dinner table. My friend's family used to import many of these medicines for the asian community. You should however be careful in thinking that the Asians are a superstitios lot and the rest of us are not. When I hear John Banks saying that the world was created in 6 days is 6000 years old and Noa rescued all the world's animals in a big boat I think you need to leave a bit of room for the superstitions of the so called civilized world. And that is only one of the "civilized" religions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Fascinating stuff. Would love to see more photos - especially of the reeves natural habitat I find the best way to save a species is to eat it. You get people who are more dedicated to breeding them and raising them, Worked with Tigers... They already farm some for food by the looks of it ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_pond_turtle Over the 5-year period, 1990–1995, thirteen traditional Chinese medicine factories consumed 430 tons of C. reevesii plastrons.[9] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I'll see what I can dig up. I also spent some time in Madagascar beforehand...could put a few pics up if you're keen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Find alternatives with fewer bones. Good idea, but I don't think it would make a difference. Bones were prevalent in every meal, and you simply spat them on the table (or the floor, depending on the establishment). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 I'll see what I can dig up. I also spent some time in Madagascar beforehand...could put a few pics up if you're keen?Nice one - and yes please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 yes please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 That would be great. Good to see you back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxxnz Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 U can't stop it! The only way to stop it,when there is an outbreak disease hit on the species! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 Jaxx, you need to work on your quoting. You need to remove the {quote="ExoticReptilesNZ"}{quote="Sheepsnana"} after the {quote="henward"} I have used {} instead of [] to show this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sneaky2 Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 sad truth that a species farmed for food or pet, is a secure species. :sick: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted October 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Fascinating stuff. Would love to see more photos - especially of the reeves natural habitat quote] Sorry, couldn't get quote savvy... Been going through pics, and no good ones of Reeves habitat. Most of the Reeves I dealt with were hatchlings at the university where I was working. Looking back, that 2nd pic I posted may actually be another Mauremys species (Chinese striped-necked turtle). Our main study site was a freshwater lake on an island in a big river in southern China. A few ephemeral ponds were utilised by the native species more than the red-ears. On an interesting aside, local fisherman would often catch our radio-tagged sliders and hold them for ransom. Yet another challenge to turtle research in this region... I'll see what other pics I can dig up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 On an interesting aside, local fisherman would often catch our radio-tagged sliders and hold them for ransom. Yet another challenge to turtle research in this region... :slfg: How much were they after? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExoticReptilesNZ Posted October 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 :slfg: How much were they after? Whatever it was, it was a ridiculous amount to expect from graduate students. Apparently the landowner was notified and the pesky fisherman were banned from that particular lake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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