During one of our trips to the local fresh market, we passed through the meat and fish stalls and were halted by the sight of some live animals being sold for consumption- eels, large unidentifiable fish, and small turtles. Their conditions were cruel, stored In large plastic bowls, and they were in poor health.
Back at home we researched what these animals were generally used for, and we found that the turtles' futures were the most grim- likely to be sold to Chinese restaurants and boiled alive. We spent the night sleepless and decided to return the next morning with plans to buy two and take them to a nearby park with a fresh water source.
Upon arrival at the market we discovered them to be cheaper than expected, and so we could afford to buy four. The stall holder, without a second thought, piled them into a plastic carrier bag on top of one another and tied the handles up tightly. We rushed back to the car and opened the bag, the turtles were gasping for air and some had simply recoiled in defeat- we let them into Fred's large open rucksack for the rest of the journey. Three of them were Malayan Snail-Eating Turtles, and the fourth was a very tired Southeast Asian Box Turtle.
Our friend, Kim, drove us and the turtles to big local park with a large enough lake that, after researching the species of turtles, seemed ideal. We laid the turtles one by one onto the soft grass and watched them slowly gain the courage to take a peek around.
Quickly having relaxed in their surroundings, we took them in turns to the water's edge and lowered them to the surface- they did the rest, kicking away and diving deep into the lake to join the several other species of turtle that were already craning their little heads above the water to get a good look at what was going on.
This little monster couldn't wait his turn to explore their new home.
We were sad to have to buy into an industry which we ultimately think is unnecessary, cruel, and unsustainable, but we couldn't bare the thought of passing up the chance to save a few little lives. Seeing them in their natural environment reinforced the absurdity of selling these creatures on for a cruel death and human consumption (we also read that they produce very little meat- it's more of a novelty food than anything else). We were also aware that, oddly enough, some people in Thailand sell live animals to be released however a chat with a couple of locals proved that these animals were intended as food. Happy swimming little buddies, enjoy life!
