Stop the importation of non-native aquatic turtles and frogs into California. Other states have done it, and so must we. Presentation made by American Tortoise Rescue to the California Fish & Game Commission March 3, 2010.

1. A merican Tortoise Rescue 16 Years 4,500,000 Turtles 30,000,000 Bullfrogs The clock is ticking…

2. The clock is ticking… 1972 – India bans turtles as pets.

3. The clock is ticking… 1974 – U.S. bans the sale of turtles under four inches throughout the country.

4. The clock is ticking… 1990 – the European Union banned the red eared slider in all of its countries.

5. The clock is ticking… 1990s – Australia and New Zealand banned the red eared slider.

6. The clock is ticking… 1998 – California Fish & Game Commission received more than 2,000 letters in support of a ban on importation of red eared sliders, including letters from the former Secretary of Resources, California Fish & Game Wardens Association, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and others.

7. The clock is ticking… 1998 - State Panel Refuses to Ban Importation of Frogs, Turtles After hearing five hours of testimony, the State Fish and Game Commission on Wednesday voted 4 to 0 not to ban the importation of live bullfrogs and turtles used in some Asian cultures for food and medicinal purposes. Instead, the commission proposed that signs be posted at all food markets that sell the amphibians noting that it is illegal to sell the animals live to customers. They must be slaughtered on the premises before being sold. April 02, 1998 Los Angeles Times

8. The clock is ticking… 2001 - Korea bans the red eared slider.

9. The clock is ticking… 2006 – Red eared slider found in a pond near the University of Hawaii, the first record of the species in Hawaii in 10 years.

10. The clock is ticking… 2007 – Oregon bans the red eared slider.

11. The clock is ticking… 2007 – Study initiated in Singapore of non-native species, one of which is the red eared slider which competes with native species for food and basking spots, as well as displacing the native species.

12. The clock is ticking… 2007 – Florida bans the red eared slider.

13. The clock is ticking… 2009 – The Center for Biological Diversity and two dozen other conservation and health groups asked State wildlife and health agencies in Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee for a ban on commercial harvest of freshwater turtles in all public and private waters. Freshwater turtles collected in these states and sold domestically as food or exported to international food markets are often contaminated with mercury, PCBs, and pesticides.

14. The clock is ticking… 2009 – Bahrain investigates large numbers of red eared sliders being released into the wild.

15. The clock is ticking… 2009 – Viet Nam was alarmed to discover red eared sliders in Hoan Kiem Lake.

16. The clock is ticking… 2010 – Maine bans the red eared slider.

17. The clock is ticking… 2010 – Pennsylvania believes that native turtle species in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania are now coming under pressure from red eared sliders released from captivity, mainly as a result of the pet trade. Considering a ban.

18. The clock is ticking… 2010 – An Indiana Senator introduces a measure that seeks to regulate the state’s exotic reptile trade. The proposed measure provides penalties for releasing exotic animals into the wild. An “exotic reptile” is defined as a reptile that is not native to Indiana.

19. The clock is ticking… 2010 – Fish & Game Commission receives 456 emails and 45 letters in support of our proposed ban on the importation of turtles and frogs with only ONE in opposition.

20. The clock is ticking… American Tortoise rescue in Malibu has seen only three Western Pond Turtles since we opened our doors 20 years ago.

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25. The clock is ticking… Respectfully, Mr. Sonke and Commissioners, enough is enough. Ban the importation of turtles and frogs now!

26. A merican Tortoise Rescue 15 Years 4,500,000 Turtles 30,000,000 Bullfrogs The clock is ticking…