Turtle Farm ranks high on cruel attractions list
Turtles at the Cayman Turtle Farm
(CNS): The Cayman Turtle Farm is coming under fire again on the global stage with the publication of an Oxford University report, which assessed wildlife attractions and the levels of cruelty. The report gave the CTF the same marks for animal welfare as bear dancing and snake charming because of the cruel conditions in which the turtles are kept. The goal of the study, the first of its kind, was to raise awareness among tourists so that they understand the implications of supporting attractions with poor welfare standards and few conservation benefits.
From street performance attractions to captive dolphin facilities, the research conducted by the Oxford-based team of specialists was funded by the World Animal Protection charity, which has been at the forefront of an ongoing campaign to transition the Cayman Turtle Farm to a conservation and rehabilitation centre.
The study, which examined welfare standards and conservation credentials, gave the CTF a score of -3 on welfare, the lowest number on a 6-point scale that scored wildlife tourist attractions (WTAs) from -3 to +3, ranking it among the most cruel of tourist attractions. The Turtle Farm was given a ranking of +1 for conservation.
Captive dolphin facilities ranked -1 for conservation and -2 for animal welfare.
The report noted that WTAs such as the Turtle Farm and elephant parks, where guests ride on the backs of animals, and bear dancing are often rated highly by visitors because of their ability to interact with wild animals that they don’t normally see, unaware of the cruelty behind the scenes.
Typically, at least 80% of visitors do not recognise and respond to the welfare status of the animals at any given WTA, the study found.
The researchers said it was clear that tourist feedback is not a sufficient gauge to regulate the use of animals at wildlife tourist attractions.
“The large number of animals and tourists involved, as well as the predicted future increases in global tourism, indicate an urgent need for regulation,” the authors stated and said there was a need for accreditation or certification schemes, policy instruments or agencies to inspect and sanction attractions.
The researchers also recommend more education through online consumer reviews and the introduction of a welfare rating on social media such as TripAdvisor.
Having funded the study, the WAP said the Turtle Farm’s score reinforced its concerns about the animal welfare problems inherent at attraction, such as stress, disease and death “associated with handling and cramped captive conditions”.
Concerned that tourists don’t realize the animal welfare implications, WAP said tourists were lured into the CTF because they love turtles without “realizing that the facility’s conditions for turtles are extremely cruel”, the charity said.
The study’s researchers are calling for TripAdvisor to improve its service to the visiting public by including in its evaluations a score for animal welfare and conservation, in a similar manner to its ‘Green Leaders’ scheme. This scheme enables tourists to identify sustainable attractions.
CNS contacted the CTF, which is also a commercial meat production facility, about this latest report and is awaiting a response. However, in a recent interview with CNS the managing director at the facility, Tim Adam, pointed to significant improvements at the farm in husbandry and animal welfare standards, though he conceded the intensive nature of the farming of an endangered species.
Category: Marine Environment, Science & Nature
perhaps the Cayman Turtle Prison should do what Sea World is doing with its Orcas
http://www.businessinsider.com/seaworld-end-killer-whale-show-san-diego-blackfish-2015-11
You can’t reason with backwards.
“Culture” is an argument in favor of female genital mutilation, bear bating and bull fighting. Keep it classy Cayman.
We will always eat turtle meat regardless of what these people from other countries have to say. It only caymanians who eat it you really think politicians really going shut this down and tell us we can’t eat it anymore use your common sense. Turtles became endangered so we stop taking wild turtles from sea and then we started farming them so we wouldn’t deplete the wild population. Now farming is cruel etc. make a choice we farm them and or we catch them out of the sea either way it doesn’t matter no matter what fine you impose you will still have poaching problems don’t you see we don’t have laws they are more like guidelines
http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-01-09/new-research-plant-intelligence-may-forever-change-how-you-think-about-plants
One has always thought that plants have the same senses as humans. They respond to many things. But the question you have to ask does it feel pain? If it does then is it barbaric to also eat a defenseless plant. If it is a sentient being is it wrong?
We live in a world of good and evil ,right and wrong. But can anything happen without balance? Can we build a house without chopping a tree? Can we walk in the bush or on the beach without destroying something ?
We in the caribbean have always eaten turtle. If you go along the coastline anywhere in the caribbean you will SEE that no one has stopped eating turtle.
Plants and humans are very similar. In fact, I suspect that many of the posts here on CNS could have been written by a plant.
If you go along the coastline anywhere in the Caribbean you will SEE that no one has stopped eating turtle.
NOT true. Turtle was a popular delicacy in Victorian times, but, due to dwindling numbers and the increase in environmental protesting, they have since become protected most of the world around, including the Caribbean. I have visited many Caribbean Islands in my time, and most now love and protect the turtle rather than eat it.
Stuff tastes like ass anyway. I’m more concerned about the millions of dollars we piss away on this “attraction” each year.
Depending on the ass, I would rather eat ass than turtle any day.
I think a lot of people missing the point here. This is a Cayman tradition, and whilst I personally would not indulge, that is my choice. The real point here is, if we are going to have a farm for show and for farming to protect wild turtle from poaching, then at least lets do it in a proper and humane fashion which we can be proud of, instead of constantly being slammed for. If anyone believes for one minute that poachers will be caught should this facility close, then think again. Human nature, where there is a demand, there will be a supply, legal or not. Applies to anything on this planet.
You have a point, but people are less likely to offend if the penalties are severe. In Canada, for instance, there’s an anonymous reporting line for taking protected species. Fines of up to $100,000 and a few years in prison are a fairly effective deterrent.
Which is great 1.55 as Canada is a large country with many people….if you “grass” on someone you see here, you are likely to get beaten with a cowcod or face other repercussions as the people you grass to will come under pressure to say who told…welcome to Cayman…
I think you missed the mention of the anonymous tip line. It’s like Crime-Stoppers. Poaching doesn’t occur in the big cities as there’s very little wildlife. It’s the same situation as Cayman for small towns in the bush and coastal villages where everyone knows each other. But it is working. A government website publishes all the legal actions, fines, and names and it ain’t pretty for poachers.
I suspect Cayman’s problem is that there is no real will amongst the people and lawmakers to stop poaching.
Yeah informing doesn’t work well because if you testify against me I have to know who you are and let’s just say nobody is hard to find in Cayman
Oxford University? What do they know about anything?
Flash News: Oxford University spends xxxxx amount of money studying how natives from former colonies deal with their own issues and try to save some animals born in captivity from extinction..The same day a homeless Breton dies for lack of social attention two blocks from Oxford Campus…
There is a campus is there? What you mean homeless man dies in the large English city of Oxford? As a Breton, he might have been better obtain support in France.
Whatever White Westerners don’t eat in abundance must be condemned and is considered barbaric. When all is said and done, that is what this debate boils down to.
(No wonder certain groups are fast becoming the most detested on the globe. Some people need to stop poking their noses and imposing their opinions on everyone else.)
Meanwhile, McDonald’s and KFC are 2 of the biggest companies in the world – go figure.
The cow is the most endangered animal in the world.
Ponder that one for a minute and feel free to address in the box below.
(Personal attacks will be regarded as concede of defeat.)
*That being said, I remember being shunned and downright bullied at a university graduation dinner in Scotland when I absolutely refused to eat the haggis that was the main course of the night. Seriously, people were genuinely offended and many avoided me for the rest of the evening. As if it made a difference to me.
I consider haggis to be an absolutely disgusting dish; from its contents, to the traditional method of preparing, right down to its final presentation. However, I would never condemn anyone for eating whatever they choose. Furthermore, I respect the historical context from which regional dishes derive.
If only others could do the same.
But haggis are not endangered. On a summer’s evening one can see herds of hundreds running freely around the mountainsides.
Oh dear, the race card, because black people are smart enough and don’t have an opinion I suppose?
How patronising and how rude of you to suppose on my behalf.
Plenty of white westerners object to Fois Gras, Veal, battery chickens, fox hunting, stag hunting and many other odious methods of farming and hunting, but they are in the majority and their opinion isn’t based on colour, it’s based on conscience.
As for haggis, well clearly it’s not a wild or endangered animal in need of protection, so your years at univercity must have been a complete waste if you believe the two subjects are related.
There are more categories of people in the world than White and Black, my friend.
E.g. Many westerners constantly condemn Asians for eating dogs.
How can any group of mammal eaters tell another group of mammal eaters what is permissible and what is not? Does an American conscience trump that of a Chinese? If so, on what basis of superiority?
Many Caymanians eat turtle – get over it…or stay stressed.
As it regards endangered species; as I said in my original post – the cow is the most endangered animal on the face of the planet.
The ONLY thing keep COWS in existence is FARMING!
(Connect the dots. Geesh!)
Who is Whodatis going anonymous so often nowadays?
Classic Whodatis straw man argument to set up his playing the race card.
Straw man argument?
How so? Please elaborate.
Otherwise, kindly enjoy this mug of stfu tea.
It’s good for you …similar to Tetley.
😀
That the criticism of the turtle farm was in fact white people complaining about what non-white people eat. Plenty of black people think rearing endangered animals in horrific conditions for food is backwards and barbaric too. Are you this odious in real life?
“White Westerners” used to love eating turtle and turtle soup in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s too, but they stopped eating and started protecting turtle when they realised that the species was being hunted to extinction. Whilst each to their own with their particular likes and dislikes, if any creature is hunted to extinction, then it is only right that we try to preserve and protect the species in the natural environment, rather than selfishly farm in cruel conditions just to protect the right to eat them. If sheep or other animals were so rare, I am sure the rest of the world would make moves to similarly protect them.
Why does everyone speak of Haggis like its an animal in its own right? Please don’t tell me people think Haggis is an animal!!!
I can assure you that it is my friend. They may take your turtle but they’ll never take our haggis!
Oh dear, I hope CNS doesn’t have to include a satire or irony button. Maybe just a dimwit button.
You are officially too stupid to be allowed near a keyboard.
(Original Poster here)
I am happy to see the critics are finally seeing sense on this issue.
Of course you guys would never admit to it, but the carefully scripted context, not to mention the avoidances, of your responses say it all.
Please move on. This was a non-issue until you guys brought it up…constantly.
If you are American then I suggest you spend more time addressing the murderous gun and mass-shooting culture of your country. If you are British, I suggest you focus on the rampant, historical, far-reaching, judicial and executively endorsed culture of child molestation and sexual abuse in your country.
Clearly we all have things that require urgent attention in our respective societies so hopefully we can move on from this “barbaric turtle-eating crisis” of the Cayman Islands.
Ya’ll be good now.
How did he survive for that long in Dundee?
Let’s close it down wild sea turtles taste way better anyway. We grew up knowing how to survive from the sea. doe won’t do nothing half of the doe people afraid to even go swimming. I can guarantee if this is closed down wild turtle poaching would be rampant around here.
Seems to be rampant now.
Can they please also do a study on the farming of cattle, pigs, chickens, fish, vegetables, fruits etc? We would love to see how the animals and plant products that they are all eating are raised, especially in the US. Please inform us of all the drugs,chemicals, antibiotics, hormones and steroids that are used, as well as the living conditions. Also, we would like to know what they are all rated at on the same scale…Oh, and also, if possible, can you please let us know how many wild animals are left of each type of farmed animal? Can they please also tell everyone, including their own countrymen about how great Monsanto is? Thanks so much WAP and Oxford and all groups of the same species! While you are at it, go eff yourselves, with a nuclear submarine…thanks.
umm, I think you confused the UK with the USA…
Does it make a difference?
The name Swampcrab just rounds you up really. Check out real facts, not just those on Google, idiot.
Then please answer just 1 of my questions, or better yet, show us King Genius, that would show who the idiots really are. Please apply for the available post of Captain for the Sub, you seem to have all the credentials, you stand a good chance.
Yet another pointless rant Swampy, what exactly are you trying to say? Are we to presume you eat none of the above or do you eat it all regardless of your objections?
You see swampy, my dear hard backed crap eating friend, you can’t rant about the evils of conventional or GM farming if you happily tuck into it at the first opportunity. At least our objections are based on integrity and conscience with an absolute intention of never eating a CITES listed endangered creature.
On the other hand, you are just a hypocrite. Oh yes, and an idiot for not being able to construct a coherent argument.
You simply do not having the capacity to understand that what I am saying is that these groups are busy attacking something that they can not take care of in their own countries, such as inhumane treatment of animals, as they are attacking the CTF for. Is the population of trutles at CTF included in the numbers of the CITES list? I am not sure if it is possible to make it any more simple for you to grasp. I do eat turtle from CTF, and I love it! Does it affect CITES numbers? No. they are farmed, not taken from the wild. Are cows o9n the CITES list? No? Then where are all of the wild ones? Does your steak come from an endangered animal? I am not saying that I do not eat any other farmed animal, but do you see Cayman in any foreign country telling them how to live or what to eat or how to do anything at all? I am just saying that if they should have the divine power to make someone do something that they would like to see changed, perhaps they should lead by example? What they are trying to do, and what you are supporting is the definition of hypocritical. Understand? Or is that over your head as well? All you have to do is show us how you raise your own farm animals…can you do that? No? Ok…STFU!
Here, I can show you a few examples:
UK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVGR1N2Pl00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2UHnOsfxhw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7-RJKhVqpc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmPzVaqfhQQ
US:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtV6XSGQDlw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_vqIGTKuQE
Monsanto:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6_DbVdVo-k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su0om5L4Bhg
Where are your objections, the integrity and conscience?
Maybe you could come to the swamp and join me for a plate of fresh steaming crap one day, after all, the majority of it is yours.
I am an expat who tried turtle meet and loved it. I have been to the turtle farm and, although I am not an expert. I saw no evidence of the animals suffering. So do not quite get what the issue is.
If the argument was that the farm is treating the animals cruelly or inhumanely, then I would understand what the hullabaloo is about. Those are fixable issues if raised. But wanting the farm closed just because you do not like that people eat those cutsey little turtles you so adore is a tad bit condescending. I am rather fond of sheep and find that they are a culinary delight in some parts of the world. Is the right response to lobby musicians from my country to put a stop to the madness that is sheep consumption?
Some argue that the turtles are endangered species and should not be eaten. To me that is why they are being farmed. They are breeding for consumption and conservation so there is no depletion of wild populations. The alternative, shutting down the farm, would result in depletion of actual wild populations as no one can say that turtle hunting will not happen. So to me the “shut it down” argument is illogical.
Repurposing the facility would be far better than shutting it down, but here are some reasons why people want it changed:
1. The menu item is on the IUCN Red List. None of DoE, DoT, CTF have made any effort to educate public against consumption. They have done the opposite.
2. The international trade in shell scutes is banned by CITES. Disposal not supervised by RCIPS.
3. The cost of production of meat is over $100/lb. ie money that could have been used on CI education, avoiding teen pregnancy, and crime prevention
4. The planet (including primary tourist markets) are weary of Cayman’s penchant to take the wrong stance on matters of moral and ethical importance
5. CTF tried to suppress an FOI that 1000’s of turtles had died from neglect, including empty tanks and disease (that’s the cruelty part) – see WAP report from last month and CNS article on FOI.
To you the sky is always blue and the trees talk when the wind blows. For gods sake stop being so damn naive, do you think they would actually allow the public access to the disease infected storage tanks that allow little or no movement.
Its got nothing to do with cutesy animals, I happily eat rabbit and lamb, it has everything to do with cruelty and the disgusting farming of an endangered animal.
Read the person’s post again – clearly a troll
So you went to the farm and saw the turtles so crammed in tanks that they were stacked on top of each other, with the crap in the water and with all the open lesions on their necks and flippers, and you didn’t notice any cruelty. Did you see the photos WAP took of the deformities? How about photos of the 1200 turtles that baked in the sun? How about the recent admission of all the death from disease? It’s a bit difficult to assign any credibility to to rest of your comments given your head in the sand perspective on cruelty.
I think you are a troll but even if you are not, as a visitor to CTF you would not see the cruelty as they are not in the habit of putting it out there for all their visitors to see. The pictures provided by the WWF tell the true story. The turtles crammed into small pools are in the back away from the public eye, but try take a helicopter ride over the farm and then come back and tell us what you see. I know I did, and what I saw was heartbreaking.
Some good landfill space being wasted up there in West Bay.
If you don’t like the Turtle Farm, you can move to another place, actually I mean, go back to where you came from. Don’t come here to our home and then expect us to bend over for you and change an integral part of our culture.
I come from here and despise this fake culture you talk about. Originally, it was actually a European culture based on supplying meat to passing ships for consumption at sea. And they no longer indulge in eating whales, seals or turtles since recognising the stupidity of the loss incurred.
Chickens, cattle, pigs and fish have all been available to the population since the original settlers came here in the 18th century. Turtle meat isn’t a necessary part of our culture or diet and should be consigned to history, from whence it originated.
I’m seventh generation, bobo. All my ancestors both caught and ate turtles. You have no idea what you are talking about. Turtling was a massive part of our culture and there were a heck of a lot more turtles around than cattle, hence why it was so popular. I think it is less humane to eat those mangy chickens! They’re better off flat on a road than in anybody’s belly.
Hmm, well if having a Borden and a Walter as an ancestor counts as ‘not knowing’ what I’m talking about, I’ll let those with a lot longer lineage than you know that you disapprove, they’ll be so impressed.
It might have been ‘massive’ to your small community, but not to ours.
I wouldn’t brag about those relations! Just one watler and one Borden? Sounds like paper caymanian through marriage to me. I think you’ve been eating too many of those street chickens.
You really are stupid aren’t you. Do you actually know your historical lineage, or even what historical lineage is?
Listen dumbass, Bordan became Bodden as Eubank became Ebank and Walter became Watler, and yes, they were white British names that were hijacked by interbreeding over the last 300 years.
So keep your paper Caymanian jibe as you are obviously a paper Caymanian yourself. Seven generations, are you serious, I’ve got rum older than that?
Seven generations in 300 years, do the maths.
When did you last visit your distant cousins in the UK, have dinner in the village where your ancestors once lived and took a DNA test to confirm lineage? No, didn’t think so, I doubt if you even know where the UK or Africa are on a map. You think that by claiming a Caymanian name is heritage and culture, please, you are no more than a new boy who can’t find his way and must cling on to old stories of days gone past to justify your pathetic cruelty.
No one is disputing that Caymanians slaughtered turtles in days gone by, no one disputes it was a viable commercial enterprise or even a ‘cultural’ addition to a poor economy. But then so we’re coconuts on the Brac and LC.
The fact is that some commercial enterprises eventually become unacceptable to the modern world, like slavery, whale hunting, cannibalism, bear baiting, cock fighting and child labour. The killing of endangered turtles for food will go the same way and you recently settled wannabes will just have to get over it.
Looks like a nerve has been struck! I win! You said cock!
Look in the mirror, yes, there you are.
Together with an admission of interbreeding. Time for a spot-check finger count.
Are they endangered if they are born in captivity?
Are you dumb? Its the species that are endangered not the place they are forced to live. Many animals are endangered, and many facilities exist to PROTECT and PRESERVE, not eat them – it doesn’t make the species any less endangered.
Yes, and that’s why it’s called ‘history’, because it happened and shouldn’t happen in a modern, enlightened world.
The point being that you killed them all and now rely on a backwards looking, heavily subsidised farm to fulfil your greed. Wow, that’s really smart bobo, you must be so proud that it’s all been such a success.
Seventh generation, eh, bobo? So some mating between alarmingly close relatives went on over these years. I wouldn’t boast about about it. Or do you have some good strong hybrid Jamaican, Honduranian, Nicaraguan or British blood in there too? I hope so, it’s good for the intellect -something your last sentence indicates a lack of.
Oh yeah, love me a cousin or two, I am a west bayer! Still doesn’t change the fact turtle is the shizznit bobo.
Haha I bet you were so proud of that comment. Bring it biotch, there’s no convincing me, I’m a crazy inbred! By the way, do you know anywhere that sells turtle for dinner? I have a craving for it after all this talk.
you’re 7th generation and you still don’t know where to get turtle for dinner?
I usually eat it for lunch and am asleep for the rest of the day…some sort of “itis” I guess.
7th gen idiot
As an eighth generational commenter, I am tired of newcomers like you spouting your fancy foreign views. I disagree entirely with you and play the generation trump card to cancel out whatever you have to say.
Oh yeah? Well my 1,000th generation ancestors were Miskito Indians who only came to Cayman to turtle, and now we’re nearly all extinct!
Fake culture? Wow, you’re not even a proud Caymanian? Benedict Arnold!
The East End or West Bay Arnold’s?
Oh for God’s sake this (and comments like it) is soooooo petty to the point of being anally retentive
I am a Caymanian. I believe in animal welfare. I believe in morals and integrity and decency. It is you, fellow Caymanian, that no place in the world needs!
You’re a disgrace to Caymanians then. You’re saying it is immoral to eat turtle? You’re an idiot, don’t make any more comments on here. Eejit.
Cayman bully culture 4.46, have not seen anything so exciting since planet of the apes was showing.
Yup, bully them bro bully them! That’s they way it should be.
Truly, comments on CNS really don’t get much more idiotic than this one. Spoken as an observer rather than a participant of this discussion.
It is immoral to treat any animal the way the turtles are treated at that farm. Just as it is for pigs, chickens and cows. Humans are disgusting, absolutely disgusting!!!!
Intentionally eating an endangered species is a selfish act. To personally assist in the elimination of the species in the name of citizenship is certainly not a position of moral high ground for future generations – regardless of how many past generations of opportunists you might descend from.
“When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do Sir?”
Only Eejit round here is you slowcome – go look in the mirror and see what a disgrace to Cayman YOU are – but then again too blind to see yes?
What do you think of all the iguanas? Save them too?
No, its perfectly fine and humane to bash and hack them to death with sticks and stones, same level of humane as raising 1000 chickens in a wire box that cuts off their feet, trampling each other, fighting and cannibalizing, then kill them by slitting their throats and bleeding them dry, then put in a pretty package to sell to everyone else to eat. Same for the cattle, pigs, and everything else.
But we will win, eventually.
Ah yes, cruelty, suffering and pain, such a wonderful part of Cayman culture…understand why you wish to preserve it. You carry on beating the sh*t out of each other and women, badly treating kids and animals…soon people will be visiting cayman as a “working” museum of how not to live.
Haha oh boy, look at the U.S. And Canada, not exactly role models for anyone. I think Cayman is doing pretty well to be honest. Turtle is delicious.
wow…some sad pathethic culture you have……
if we never came here you would be extinct…..
now there’s an idea!
If you never came, you would be extinct, thats what you came here for right, a better life? Or did you come to help us and contribute to our well being and not to your own?
Totally agree with you 1:35! All these people who don’t support the Turtle Farm and your hundreds of years of history of killing captive, farmed, ill turtles in tanks in West Bay should pack and go. Oh, but wait, where will you get the millions it takes to pay for the farm if half the workforce leaves? And the tourists who don’t agree with turtling stop coming? Well, as long as the culture gets to remain as it was before electricity everything will be divine!
The Turtle Farm, integral to Cayman culture since it was opened in 1968 by Brits and Americans, then bought by Germans.
Specifically, the culture of being a selfish idiot. Goes back generations in many family lines. Own it.
I don’t like the turtle farm, and I intend to stick around and do what I can to help close it. I don’t feel like leaving, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
So another study funded by WAP, conducted by a WAP spokesman (Neil D’Cruz) and his colleagues supports WAPs position. That animal based attractions are inherently bad for the animals. And that the Turtle Farm should shut down. – In other news that will change no one’s mind global climate change is happening, the US republican and democratic presidential candidates held debates and the Government’s new dump strategy is opening for public review. (Also I did a study and concluded we needed to pedestrianize parts of George Town and plant more trees there to make it prettier and shadier.)
WAP would get further ahead if they didn’t keep trying the same disproven hack-job pseudo-science and siting it as evidence that should change people’s minds. (In their defense they know its all just PR anyway. The real target is tourist hearts & minds, hence the coming attack via Trip Advisor.)
Self entitled, self indulgent, self important and self serving. There, think that just about rounds up the Caymankind we see above, know well and is recognised around the world.
The stone age marine reptile munchers cannot and will not acknowledge their unacceptable behaviour until the turtles are extinct, and then they’ll just blame everyone else for not allowing them to indulge in their barbaric farming of an endangered species.
Oxford University maybe many different things to many different people, but indulging in pseudoscience isn’t one of them. As a world leader in global research and environmental study, you would be wise to take notice of their conclusions. Your politicians are following a disastrous policy of reliance on bucket shop cruise ship tourism instead of long stay vacations at quality resorts and hotels. What do you think will happen when this type of research is widely known and day trip tourists, (now ignorant of the facts) withdraw their support?
That will be the end of your turtle farm and good riddance. Then spend the money on making it a DoE research and conservation facility, employ more enforcement staff to catch poachers and bring in tougher sentences for those who catch or handle illegally caught turtle, conch, lobster, grouper and whelk. I’m certain that research facilities, universities and other environmental conservation organisations from around the globe would add to the already expansive environmental fund.
To you more enlightened folk out there, lets fill up Trip Advisor with anti CTF reports and see how long it lasts.
Perhaps then the lunatic that was ranting about ‘poor Caymanians’ and the, ‘conspiracy of employers to keep Caymanians out of the workplace’ on Straight Talk this morning, could use the outrageous public subsidies to feed and educate those most in need.
Until someone steps forward with funding, or a proposal to run it as a research facility the ‘solution’ is a fanciful idea.
Also I think it said ‘Oxford based’ and not ‘Oxford University’, nothing more than a geographical reference intentially used to add credence to the study. The statement that it was a self-funded and self-directed study is a correct one. You appear to have given it a little more gravitas than warranted.
The reality is that if the CTF closed it would result in the deaths of every turtle being farmed, I doubt they would release a farmed animal into the wild, is that really what you are advocating, that dead is better than somewhat alive?
If the CTF weren’t there these turtles wouldn’t exist, without them, they wouldn’t exist either, so a choice between having a viable tourist attraction and work for 100 people, and nothing, I’m afraid I choose man over beast.
They already do release a few token farmed animals into the wild each year that’s supposedly the whole point of their so-called ‘conservation efforts’. I would rather see the entire farm population released into the wild and taking their chances than continuing to be kept in the disgusting conditions at CTF. I have seen for myself those poor animals packed tightly into tanks and scrabbling all over each other to try and get air – complete cruelty. Even if the population dies out in Cayman because there exist a few people who like to eat it, the turtles continue to thrive and be conserved PROPERLY elsewhere in the Caribbean.
What a dummy. You sound like Legge talking about posting negative comments on Trip Advisor. The Turtle Farm is for Caymanians first. If you don’t like it, get out of dodge.
Close it already and invest the money currently being wasted CTF on improving education standards for Cayman’s children
Clearly necessary reading these comments.
The Turtle FARM isn’t a wild life attraction. It’s a farm that raises farm animals. The day we shut down all beef, chicken, pork and fish farms globally and all convert to the dark side (veganism) then who are these animal rights nut jobs to judge us?
Animal Rights nuts? From Oxford University, one of the greatest places of learning on the planet renowned for its research work? And the UN recently publishing a report basically saying that we had better all go vegetarian soon otherwise we will not be able to feed ourselves? No, not in Cayman, these “furreners” all talk rubbish, we have much better ideas and traditions than Oxford University…look we even elected a premier before who did not finish 5th grade.Right, go figure.
Are these farms raising endangered creatures protected by CITES?
At least we are raising them, better than what most others are doing. But no, lets release them and then slaughter them along with all the wild ones, then we will have no Green Sea Turtles whether in the wild or in a farm!!!! Yippeee, can I get a hug now form a tree please before we cut all them down too to make paper?
Or maybe it’s now time to just stop eating them altogether….
Hell no, Luz’s ever Friday, best Turtle Stew on the rock.
FYI there might not be any left in Cayman, but there are plenty thriving elsewhere where normal people conserve them instead of eat them. I’d rather they disappear altogether from Cayman and thrive elsewhere than be farmed in such a torturous and inhumane way.
How many farms raise for slaughter animals on the IUCN red list (and brag about that)? Who is profiting from the internationally banned shell scute trade? If this turtle meat was priced according to real world scarcity, or by cost of production, it would be >$100/lb. This is public money that ought to be directed proportionately towards social welfare that actually matters. Maybe even a genuine sea turtle conservation effort. This money is being wasted on a huge scale and rewards only those greedy lawless few that freely admit they would poach it anyway.
only a twisted caymanian logic can justify keeping open this vile facility…
Yup, and I’m proud to be one of those Caymanians. Belly full, done had a plate of turtle and piece of breadfruit for lunch.
Now you can go home and beat the wife, and girlfriend, and kids, then go back down the bar and drive back drunk. You must be so proud.
A foreigner trying to claim Caymanians as wife beaters. Hmm. Hopefully you get rolled over soon and I can go back to my devilish ways!
Turtle farms and dolphin interactions. Backwards institutions for backwards places.
boycott the turtle farm and the dolphin prisons…..
Said no one from Carnival, Princess, Norwegian or any other cruise line ever.
A targeted boycott campaign against Carnival, Princess, Norwegian etc. would probably do the trick to close the Turtle farm and the dolphin torture facilities.
Soon come bobo.
another story to make a mockery of the caymankind mantra….