WSPA campaign presses on
CNS): Following the publication of an independent review conducted in December which confirmed a number of problems at the Cayman Turtle Farm that were first revealed publicly by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, a spokesperson for the charity said Tuesday that he believed the welfare of the turtles could still be improved at the farm. Although the WSPA, which is visiting Cayman this week, is pressing on with its campaign to see the CTF turned into a conservation facility, in the meantime it is encouraging the farm management, which has accepted that there are animal welfare problems to be addressed. In addition, the WSPA said the pressure had resulted in the farm taking some positive actions to at least begin addressing the issues.
Dr Neil D'Cruze, the WSPA campaign leader, said that the charity had enjoyed a positive meeting on Tuesday with representatives of the Turtle Farm and government and the officials had agreed to enter meaningful dialogue with WSPA as a way of addressing the turtle welfare problems, which they all acknowledge are real and present.
“There was an acceptance, not least from a senior representative of the CTF, that WSPA’s intervention in highlighting animal welfare problems was positive and has resulted in a recognition that things cannot stay as they are,” said D'Cruze. Recognising the steps the Turtle Farm has now begun to take, the charity said it was still very concerned about the handling of turtles, not just because of the health risk to visitors but the stress of the turtles, and the results of another scientific report were stilloutstanding.
“Ourcampaign goals remain the same,” D’Cruze said, explaining that the charity is a pragmatic, respected animal welfare organisation working with many stakeholders round the world. “We are always respectful of cultural practices and traditions, and firmly believe that progress can still be made to improve animal welfare while being respectful of these,” he added.
While the meeting was a positive one, it was apparent that there were still significant areas of disagreement as the CTF has stated very clearly that it will continue to act as a farm, selling the turtle meat, with conservation and research running parallel to supplying Cayman’s national dish.
The independent report released last week followed on from the damning findings that the WSPA published last year. Although the Farm had condemned the charity and accused it of making unfounded allegations and stirring up a negative campaign, a freedom of information request revealed that in July of this year the Farm had invited an expert to examine conditions at the farm and he had found many similar issues to those revealed by WSPA, which he had reported back to the Farm’s management.
Like the WSPA report and the independent report in December, David Godfrey, Sea Turtle Conservancy Executive Director, found a significant proportion of turtles at the farm are suffering from a skin diseases and shell rot. Some turtles are suffering from other conditions such as “floating syndrome” as well as lesions of the head and eyes and flipper damage consistent with cannibalism.
The charity says it remains concerned that the farm management has been aware of animal suffering, overcrowding and disease for more than six months, yet repeatedly made public denials to the contrary.
The WSPA said that the farm had gone to “great lengths to keep hidden, identified problems akin to those published in WSPA’s investigation” and had continually sought to undermine the charity’s findings. Yet there is now evidence from three different sources that a significant number of turtles have injuries consistent with severe overcrowding and that disease is a serious problem.
While the farm has billed itself as a conservation facility as well as a supplier of meat, it has not employed a professional vet at the facility. However, it has now begun the recruitment process for a full time animal doctor following the latest recommendations in the independent review.
“The assessment of the Farm in July, and then again in December closely matches our own investigation, proving that the Farm knew our findings were true from the outset,” D’Cruze said. “Instead of taking us up on our offer to work with them to find a solution, they accused us of sensationalism.”
Although the Farm is beginning to acknowledge that there are issues regarding animal welfare and the WSPA is hopeful that there will be some positive change, until such a time as the farming stops and conservation begins in earnest there are still major concerns. While the latest report vindicated the WSPA’s findings, the worry now is that, as the recommendations to address the problem are not backed up with data, the welfare issues may persist and ultimately the entire concept of the CTF is still flawed.
“Very little attention has been paid to addressing the fundamental issue at stake – that green sea turtles are wild solitary animals that simply cannot adapt to life crammed into a Farm with 9000 other turtles,” D’Cruze added.
Meanwhile, as the WSPA continues in its efforts to persuade the Farm to move from a butcher’s shop to a full conservation facility, Humane Society International has also joined the campaign. :
Amanda Mayhew, Manager of Ecotourism & International Trade Policy at Humane Society International, said that as more and more travellers factor animal welfare concerns into their vacation plans, the Farm’s reputation will be key to its future success.
“By transitioning away from commercial production and improving the conditions for its resident turtles, the Cayman Turtle Farm would demonstrate its commitment to its conservation mandate, teach the public to value and respect these beautiful creatures, and set an example for sea turtle conservation worldwide,” she added.
HSI said it has encouraged its supporters from around the world to sign a petition which urges the Farm to improve conditions for the turtles in captivity. In just one week, the petition attracted over 20,000 signatures. These signatures will be added to WSPA’s petition – currently over 117,000 strong – before it’s delivered to the Cayman Turtle Farm on 1 February.
Vote in the CNS poll: What should government do with the Turtle Farm?
Category: Science and Nature
Caymanians always go on about Cayman being a christian nation but Deuteronomy 14.10 states that Turtles should not be eaten, much like Conch and Lobster.
The CMA seem to be all over the news when a film they think is not fitting to Christians is shown yet they are woefully silent on this unholy pratise.
Hypocrites, Christians at their own convienence? your choice.
You clearly do not understand the first thing about Christianity if you think that represents hypocrisy. Christians are not required to observe OT dietary laws. Read the NT.
"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving". 1 Tim 4:4.
When you open your Bible on Saturday read Acts 10:11-15
People who say they don't want to go to the turtle farm should go and see it. Remember to ask questions please .
And don't forget to vote for Bush on your way out.
The cost of the turtle farm has come down since Mr. Tim Adams has been manager. He has saved three million dollars so far. The CTF was not invented because of heritage or culture of cayman people .
Mr Archie Carr is the man who started it in Florida then moved it to Cayman (He has a national refuge named after him in Fla.) because it had a better overall climate and was more conducive to turtles.
Temperature consistency in Cayman is why it was brought here. People in Cayman just love eating turtles . They're good food high in protein and no bad cholesterol . Its what are ancestors found here when we first came here.
Mr Carr got investors together to create a farm in salt creek first. They had 100,000 turtles at one time at the farm .
The CTF could be made profitable if it could sell turtle shell and leather goods and turtle oil instead of throwing it away . It is because of environmentalists that it is not profitable. Can you imagine a bunch of idiots that say eat the meat but don't sell the shell,leather or oil? Can you also know that we had as manyas 200 workers in cayman making turtle products for export to other countries.
Now tell me that isn't stupid!! You all think you know the real story but noone cares if it comes from us. Research research my children let your mind be open.
You might want to complete yourown research before putting forward such a ridiculous proposal – under CITES, all international trade in sea turtle products is banned. Buying, selling or importing any sea turtle products in the USA, as in many countries around the world, is strictly prohibited by law; but I don't suppose a minor detail like that will prevent you from trading illegally, will it?
The cost (debt) is to due with the big water park (aka keep voters employed), not the actual farm.
So lets not get the two confused.
I say stop slaughtering cows, pigs, chickens and all other animals. Then, we shut down the turtle farm.
The hatred that some people, in Cayman, have for Caymanians is so obvious that they are willing to go to any legnths to obcure the facts about the turtle farm.
It will please them so much to have this to rejoice over. Yes, Caymanians may get upset, but they won't die!!! It will just be a temporary upset.
Don't understand why Caymanians are always allowing everyone to come to Cayman and tell them what to do!
In Kentucky we eat some stuff that Europeans would turn their nose up at. But, we don't give a rats tail what anyone outside our way of thinking. It is OUR way. Don't like it? don't look.
We should close the turtle farm down immediately after WSPA convinces the rest of the world to close their zoos, chicken farms, pig farms, all attractions using animals, and when the British stop eating sheperds pie…
Is Shepherds pie made from shepherds?
Only the top quality ones.
Yep, we understand its made from poor unsuspecting Shepherds.
No, but Kidney Pot Pie is made of kidney's, yuk!!!!
i appeal to all expats to boycott this place and stop bringing your kids and visitors there…..
lets get this horror show closed once and for all…..
Ban the WSPA from entering the Cayman Isands.
Do the WSPA crew and their pseudo-celebs have permits to be doing the work they are doing now on island? Did they have them last time? Where is immigrations on this???
typical caymankind response….. avoiding the issue at hand….
And are you saying all, by saying "typical"? I say how typical of an idiot to make such a remark. If you don't like this "CaymanKind" please "Depart CaymanKindly"
even more caymankindness………
Its a cultural thing here in the Caribean. Please feel free to join in.
The Turtle Farm a problem? The WSPA needs to visit the middle east and north Korea and take some photographs and maybe the problems at the turtle farm wouldn't be so high on their list,
They do visit these places and campaign very strongly against what happens not only there but where ever there is cruelty to animals.
Perhaps if you took the trouble to aquint yourself with what the WSPA do you can form a reasoned comment on their actions.
the more that is uncovered about the turtle farm…the more i know i will never return there…..
i can only describe my one and only visit as grotesque and deeply disturbing…..
WSPA from my understanding is supposed to be working in the best interests of animals and in this case turtles.
The turtlefarm has long been veiwed as something postive for the turtles. it helps save the turtles and has done so for a very long time.
The problem is that it is not run careful enough.
The WSPA report should be there to improve the farm not close it.
PS went there over the weekend and they have taken turtle steak off the menu. Dont know about the sale of turtles.
More people in the Cayman Islands need to first make sure that the turtle famr is run properly and then support it by going not what these people are suggesting. You going will help with finances and improved care of the turtles.
i listened to the wspa guy on 'talk today' and i can only feel sorry for him regarding the level of ignorance and stupidity he came up against……
the host sterling dwayne, seemed to have great difficulty communicating/debating the issues with another intelligent rational human being…….. but then again he doesn't come up against that too often…..
Sadly this has been evident ever since the WSPA started this particular campaign. The main argument has been that it is based on heritage alone and of course subsequently the local consumption of turtle meat. All other arguments made by the WSPA and now also endorsed by Humane Society International fell on deaf ears and will likely remain this way despite statements made by them to the contrary.
I believe this has more to do with certain job securities then anything else. If animals could only speak. However, their current state of affairs pretty much speak for themselves. WSPA & HSI merely amplify these silent horrors.
But it is heritage and culture. Nuff said.
i've always felt sorry for sterling dwayne due to his general lack of ability to do the job at hand….. but after listening him the other day regarding the turtles….he is an absolute embarresment to the human race and he should be replaced immediately…..
unfortunatly he is like so many civil servants….. he fell into a job that he is obviously unqualified to do…and now he is there for life…
SKEPTICAL did miss the possibility that DART might bail them out. But, that of course takes us into the realms of Mickey Mouse economics, where issues like Return on Capital, and Underlying Asset Value, become irrelevant.
If Dart needs the money, his handlers can just print some up and wire it to him. He has no limit on his credit. If you think that all of his money came from making toxic containers, think again. Dart would buy the farm just to own more of Cayman, no economics needed.
It's only the rest of us who have to be careful with the monopoly money.
I am convinced that if Dart (or another savvy experienced entrepreneur) ran the Turtle Farm without any government interference, the Turtle Farm would (1) become an attractive and interesting place to visit and (2) actually make a profit.
And (3) move Dart one step closer to his total control over of, for now, our country, the Cayman Islands (name change imminent upon full take over)
At this stage in Caymans life only the Bushits will have a problem with this. For EVERYONE else this will be a step forward to a better life for them and their kids. But to understand this one must have the ability to see beyond tomorrow.
THE TURTLE FARM IS COSTING GOVERNMENT $8 MILLION + PER ANNUM IN SUBSIDIES AND HAS HUGE OUTSTANDING DEBTS – CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME ??
This is a wonderful example of ” The Elephant in the Room “. We can all sit around discussing the issues of the appalling conditions at the Farm, the Cayman heritage of eating turtle meat, what a nice chap Tim Adam is, whether the WSPA are the marine equivalent of ” Tree Huggers ” etc., etc. – until the cows come home. But by any normal measure of viability, it is an economic disaster which is irretrievable. Can somebody in government please focus on the IMPORTANT problem with the Turtle Farm. We know why bush never addressed the question – the farm provided lots of soft jobs for West Bayers – but he is now gone. Can we please get back to some sort of reality ?
Boatswain Beach is costing the 8-10 million!!! Not the actual farm operation!!! Get it straight!!!
Stop twisting facts to make a point!!!
Maybe we should start a voter drive against the WSPA. If the west bay road closure is any indication we should get a few on our list too.
When are real Caymanians going to stand up and run these folks out of town. We have been turtling for hundreds of years and we don’t plan to stop now.
My friend, if you think that anything the turtle farm does is in any way reflective of the turtling activities of the past, then you are seriously deluded. And it's worth noting that the past should be a place of reference, not a place of residence. Time has moved on, and you should too. The turtle farm is a money pit, and should be closed down; or at least release the turtles to take their chances in the ocean, and convert the facility into a water park and aquarium, or something similar which might actually turn a profit.
You fool, the water park operation is what is costing the money now!! but you already knew that right.
I believe that if the turtle farm isclosed down, we should let them all ago!! and lets wait and see how long it is before they end up in one of the many thousands of trawler nets that rape the oceans!!!
Lets see how long they survive. At least the farm breeds and release. But because of the stupidity of the most distructive, ruthless set of some, they would prefer to shut it all down.
I wonder if they will get the trawlers of Japan and the rest of Asia to stop what they doing!?
That's what the white men said about slavery
You also took your morning dump in the bush and cleaned up with a bull hoof leaf hundreds of years ago. EVOLVE!
At least it was an honest dump that didn't stink to high heavens. We'd take those days back in a heartbeat if we could get of your complaining, belligerent ass.
You only think it don’t stink.
‘Plan’ is a key word here
I'm just waiting to see all the shake the dust from your English feet leave our culture alone comments following on from this.
Amen brother!
Thats all well and good 117,000 strong make them come to the farm and state their opinion.
I am confident that it is not as bad as the officals claim put you money where your vote is and i am sure you will have a change of heart.