Tortoises as Pets - Oudtshoorn Info
TORTOISES AS PETS (ENGLISH)
Captivity can be a death sentence for a tortoise:
Wild animals seldom adapt well to captivity, even if they do live long or breed. Captivity can mean a slow death for some animals, particularly those with a specialised diet or habitat requirements.
Unwanted pet tortoises are often released in any field or park. This false freedom can be fatal because pet tortoises have become accustomed to captivity and battle to fend for themselves in their new environment.
All species of tortoises in the Western Cape are protected by the Nature Conservation Ordinance (Ord. no 19 of, 1974). Accordingly, no tortoise or part thereof (i.e. the shell) or tortoise eggs may be collected, transported, sold, received as a gift, given, kept in captivity, possessed, imported or exported. Species such as the geometric tortoise, which is classified as a threatened wild animal, have special protection. Although Cape Nature Conservation discourages keeping tortoises in captivity, people who wish to keep tortoises and who have suitable facilities, may apply for a permit.
Captivity has disadvantages:
Tortoises are adapted to a specific natural habitat. Their survival is dependent on the correct food and climate. When a tortoise is removed from its natural habitat, it can die because of the different conditions.
Pet tortoises are lost to the survival of the species in the wild.
Tortoises are often released in areas that are ecologically unsuitable and which fall beyond the species’ natural distribution. In these areas it is difficult for them to survive. In such cases these strange tortoises can transmit diseases to tortoises which naturally occur.
Tortoises released beyond their natural distribution range can inter-breed with local tortoises.
Pet tortoises suffer from parasites such as ticks and worms and may spread virus-borne diseases to healthy, natural populations.
Anyone with unwanted tortoises can contact Cape Nature Conservation to ensure that a suitable home is found for the animals. Please contact your local CAPE NATURE CONSERVATION offices for advice.
SKILPAAIE AS TROETELDIERE (AFRIKAANS)
Aanhouding kan’n skilpad se doodsvonnis wees:
Wilde diere pas nooit ten voile aan by aanhou-ding nie, al leef hulle lank of al teel hulle selfs aan. Gevangenskap,mag in werklikheid ‘n sta-dige dood beteken vir sommige, veral die met ‘n gespesialiseerde dieet of habitatsvereistes.
Ongewenste troetelskilpaaie word soms in enige stuk veld of park afgelaai. Hierdie valse vryheid kan die skilpaaie se dood beteken aangesien troetelskilpaaie gewoond geraak het aan die toestande in aanhouding en hier moeiliker vir hulself kan sorg.
Alle skilpadsoorte in die Wes-Kaap word beskerm deur die Natuurbewaringsordonnansie (Qrd. no. 19 van 1974). Hiervolgens mag geen skilpad of deel daarvan (soos die dop) of skilpadeiers sender die nodige, permitte versamel, vervoer, gekoop, verkoop, as geskenk ontvang, gegee, aangehou, besit, in- of uitgevoer word nie. Skilpadsoorte soos die suurpootjie wat as bedreigde wilde dier geklassifiseer is, geniet spesiale beskerm-ing. Hoewel Kaapse Natuurbewaring die aanhou van skilpaaie ontmoedig kan mense wat graag skilpaaie wil aanhou en voldoende daarvoor ingerig is, aansoek doen vir ‘n permit.
Skilpaaie is aangepas vir ‘n spesifieke natuurlike habitat. Hul oorlewing word bepaal deur die regte kos en’klimaat. Wanneer ‘n skilpad uit sy natuurlike gebied verwyder word, kan hy sterf weens die veranderde omstandighede.
Skilpaaie wat as troeteldiere aangehou word, is verlore vir die oorlewing van die soort in die natuur.
Skilpaaie word dikwels vrygelaat in gebiede wat ekologies ohgeskik is en buite die skilpad se natuurlike verspreidingsgebied val. Hier oorleef hulle moeilik. Sulke vreemde skilpaaie kan siektes oordra na die skilpaaie wat wel natuurlik daar voorkom.
Skilpaaie wat buite hul verspreidingsgebied vrygelaat word, kan verbaster met die plaaslike skilpaaie.
Troetelskilpaaie het baie las van parasiete soos bosluise en wurms en kan virussiektes na gesonde natuurlike bevolkings oordra.
Enigeen wat ontslae wil rook van hul troetelskilpad kan Kaapse Natuurbewaring nader sodat ‘n geskikte tuiste daarvoor gevind kan word. Skakel asseblief KAAPSE NATUURBEWARING vir advies.