European zoos help endangered turtles

Press Release
Source: European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)
Date: 10 January 2002

On Wednessday 9 January two representatives of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) left for Hong Kong to prepare the transportation of some 1,000 confiscated, endangered turtles to Europe.

Some 10,000 rare turtles, intended for human consumption, were confiscated in Hong Kong on 11 December last year. Hong Kong authorities placed the animals, which had not been fed or watered for several weeks, in an animal rescue centre. Since the animals could not be returned to the wild, a solution for their permanent placement had to be found quickly.

On request by the international Turtle Survival Alliance (and its board member Henk Zwartepoorte), the EAZA Executive Office asked its membership to make permanent housing for these turtles available. Approximately thirty EAZA zoos in 9 European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom) already offered their assistance and will provide some 1,000 turtles with new homes.

Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands) has assigned two members of its staff to work on this rescue operation. Head reptile keeper Henk Zwartepoorte and veterinarian Willem Schaftenaar are presently in Hong Kong. They will assess the health of the turtles determining which ones are fit for travel to Europe, and will make preparations for transport of the turtles. All parties involved are working hard to get the animals to Europe within a week from today. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines supports this EAZA zoo initiative and will transport the turtles free of charge from Hong Kong to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. From Amsterdam the animals will travel onwards to their final destination.

The turtles will be jointly managed by the EAZA zoos as part of an international breeding programme. It is to be hoped that they can thus make a contribution to the survival of their species.together in future conservation programmes.’

Contact persons:

Bart Hiddinga
EAZA Executive Office
Tel. +31 20 - 5200750 (Outside office hours: +31 06-23541115)

Constance Alderlieste
Blijdorp Rotterdam Zoo
Tel. +31 10 - 4431457