Red Eared slider turtle ban in India

Red eared slider turtle controversy

It has been on news that Indian security forces are cracking down on the illegal trade of red eared slider turtle. Suppliers, transporters, retailers are all under their radar. The biggest question that arises is whether there is really a ban or not. The second biggest question is more on the personal level to people who are looking for red eared slider turtle to have it as a pet, whether it is ethical to have red eared slider turtle as a pet or not?
In subsequent discussion I would really like to clarify both of the questions.

Red eared slider turtle ban in India

Well, particularly speaking red eared slider turtles are not having their name specifically quoted under any section related to wild life protection. Under the confusion for native species of turtles they are regarded as a a banned entity by the law enforcement agencies.
Red eared slider turtles are native to Mississippi River and are imported in India by pet traders for a long time now. But owning to resent crackdown by Malaysian police Indian traders are on red alert and are denying any queries related to Red eared slider turtles. Well that’s good for the over exploitation of poor baby turtles. At least a fewer will have to go through the agony of traveling cross country packed in a basket to the brim.
With this note let’s get to the ethical side of owning a red eared slider turtle in India.

Question of ethical treatment of red eared slider turtle

Well by the heading don’t make an impression that I am some PETA scum. I actually hate them. But yes I am in against of harsh and cruel treatment of animals just for amusement and taste.  Most of the times people who end up buying a red eared slider turtle know nothing about their well-being. In India religious beliefs of turtles bringing good luck has fueled sale of red eared slider turtles for decades now.

Being said that in most cases they are unaware of requirements for raising a red eared slider as a pet. They don’t know anything about their feed, their diseases, their optimum living conditions or anything else of importance to have a long time commitment towards their red eared slider turtle.

In most houses they are kept as a good luck charm with a cluster of gold fish. Can you believe that!
Those who know these turtles well will be in disgust. Baby red eared slider turtles are kept in aquarium filled to the top and with no platforms or heating lights to get them relaxed. Poor little beings die of exhaustion swimming for days without rest.

Then what the owners do? Get rid of the carcass and get a new one. Heck, because for them it’s not a living breathing creature but a good luck charm. Shame!

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 There is one more absurd belief in India that if an aquatic pet dies it means that there was some misfortune coming and the fish or the turtle took the blow and saved the family. Wow! What an honorable excuse for bad living conditions, no care whatsoever and no knowledge or even a little attachment with the turtle.
This re purchase of turtles as a little good luck charm is to be blamed for import of thousands and thousands of baby red eared slider turtles in India.

In the background quick and easy money is playing it’s role. A red eared slider turtle that is 3 inches in size is sold for 2000/- rs to 2500/- rs 30-40$, to the customer, whereas the retailer gets them for 300-320rs each that is less than 6$. This hefty price margin have made it more lucrative business. Why does it matter? Because with money involved there is a very limited scope of study and knowledge. People involved in buying and selling red eared slider turtle do not know to keep them healthy and happy for long. Once they recover their money they do not need to put any efforts in ensuring the well being of a baby red eared slider turtle. Also, it is not always possible for owners to provide optimum living conditions for a red eared slider turtle inside their homes. Come-on how do you expect a semi aquatic river turtle to be well in a 50-60 liters water tank. It’s not possible. Soon they would outgrow the space and will be subjected to dangers like falling down from a dangerous height, stunned growth complications, temparture regulations, diet diversity and several other factors. If you are interested in investing in for a 600-800 liters tank then may be it is good for them but not less than that.
They tend to live around 30 years in the wild. In captivity with optimum conditions like good filtration system, optimum food, good resting spots with heating lamp and several other requirements they may get a hit half a century in their age.

But are you ready for this kind of commitment?

50 long years. I haven’t seen no one committed for this long. Pets like red eared slider turtles end up in ponds, lakes and rivers when their owners get bored in a few years. Now, that is unethical. A pet turtle doesn’t know how to find food or how to save itself from predators. They will end up dead and it’s on the shoulder of the owner who threw them to get rid of a boring pet.

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Well their are several other things to discuss related to Red eared slider turtles but for now I’ll end this post.
Please rethink about getting a red eared slider turtle for you. Your little pleasure is not worth their life long agony and suffering.