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Oops: Turns out turtles still illegal to sell

BY CHRISTI MATHIS, FOR THE SOUTHERN

Monday, June 26, 2006 6:50 AM CDT

DU QUOIN - They're tiny, green, cute as can be and seem to be the perfect pet.

But, contrary to advertisements on the Internet, claims of now being safe and salmonella-free, and hundreds being sold by an area pet store that believed sales were legal, in fact the ban on the sale of baby red-eared slider turtles is still very much in place.

The FDA banned the sale in the United States of any turtle with a carapace length of less than four inches in 1975 because of the public health impact of turtle-associated salmonellosis.

That ban is absolutely still in place, said Dr. Joseph Paige, veterinarian and director of compliance at the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

He said there are many misconceptions being circulated throughout the country via the World Wide Web and other sources, but the simple fact is the sales are still against the law and those violating the law are subject to fines of up to $1,000 and up to a year in prison per offense.

Paige said the FDA has heard the claims of salmonella-free turtles, particularly originating in Louisisana, but those claims have never been validated. In fact, according to Paige, a group of turtles may be tested in the morning and have no sign of salmonella but by that afternoon, some or all may indeed test positive as turtles intermittently shed particular organisms.

"We have looked at the research data and so far it is insufficient and inconclusive so we have not amended or removed the ban," Paige said.

Paige said the Illinois district office of the FDA will be investigating the sales of baby turtles in Southern Illinois as well as the sources of those turtles in Texas and anywhere else. He said Internet sales, where the local pet store reportedly received the "salmonella-free" turtles are illegal as well. He could not comment on what specific penalties may be meted out in connection with the sale of hundreds of turtles in Southern Illinois.

Gary Kiefer of Sea Creatures in Du Quoin said he and son Josh believed it was legal to sell the turtles based on information they received from suppliers and a contact with the USDA. He said the law allows sale of turtles for scientific, educational or exhibition purposes and he believes that is what people intended for the turtles.

"We were given bad information," Kiefer said. "We thought it was okay to sell them for exhibitional or educational purposes. We bought them in good faith and gave information to the purchasers about how to care for them that was produced by our suppliers."

After learning that the FDA still banned the sales, Kiefer contacted the agency and said he getting all the information he needs to comply with the law. According to the FDA spokesperson, the USDA is also investigating the situation.

"We've tried to run a top-notch, quality pet store," Kiefer said. "Maybe we got some bad information. As a layman, reading the regulations is confusing. There is information all over the Internet about turtle sales. We're probably the drop in the lake."

"What's transpiring is places are saying it is for educational or search purposes but that isn't the case," Paige said. "When households typically purchase turtles it is as a pet. It's obvious these are not for educational purposes."

The regulation actually states baby turtle sales are banned except "for bona fide, scientific, educational or exhibitional purposes, other than use as pets." Paige said all reptiles contain salmonella. The risk of salmonella is not to be discounted, said Beth Preiss of the Humane Society of the United States. She said 6 percent of the salmonella cases in the United States each year are attributable to reptiles and amphibians. That amounts to about 74,000 people made ill in this country alone each year.

Salmonellosis is an infection of the intestines caused by bacteria called salmonella, according to information from Paige. Although anyone can get salmonella, the risk is highest in infants, young children, the elderly, and people with reduced natural resistance to disease due to pregnancy, cancer, chemotherapy, organ transplants, diabetes, liver problems, or other diseases. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and headache and usually begin within 6 to 72 hours after exposure, typically lasting two to seven days.

Paige said there are proven cases of illnesses caused not only by direct contact but by indirect contact. In one case, a family turtle bowl was washed in the sink and later an elderly grandparent in the household became ill. Salmonella of the same strain that affected the grandparent was found still in the sink, he said.

However, Paige emphasized that the FDA is "not going to go after the parents" who have purchased the turtles." He and Preiss emphasized they do not want people to respond to the information of the still-intact turtle sale ban by releasing the turtles into the wild or flushing them down the toilet.

Paige is working with others to try to come up with a recommendation regarding how to properly remove the animals from area homes. In the meantime, he stressed people should not touch the turtles unless they have to and should thoroughly wash hands and any other surface with which the turtle has come in contact. Bleach is a preferred treatment.

Paige suggested consumers view a consumer flier for more information. It can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVMConsumers.html .

"There are hundreds of these turtles out there in the community - do not release these animals into the wild," Paige said.

Preiss said in addition to the health risks posed to humans by the turtles, there are humane reasons not to own them.

"Wild animals don't fare well in the home," she said. But, she emphasized that although they are wild animals those purchased as pets should not be released into the wild. Katrina Smith of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society concurs. She said if properly cared for, the turtles will grow rather large - up to 8 inches for males and up to 11 inches for females. Releasing the turtles into the wild could push out or overwhelm native populations or bring diseases into the wild. Smith said a few years ago a Wisconsin mall was selling "salmonella-free" turtles that turned out not to be. She said the turtles can live many years; she knows of one woman that has had one for 68 years.

Smith said caring for the turtles can be expensive and time-consuming. The preferred place is a 300-gallon fenced backyard pond. She and numerous other reptile experts from around the United States and Canada contacted the Southern Illinoisan with information about the proper care for turtles saying the turtles need large bodies of water, UVB and basking lights, filters, various foods and supplies and much more to be properly cared for.

Smith said her agency has rescued many turtles but there simply aren't homes for them all. She said although she hates to make such a recommendation, she suggests those unwilling or unable to make the full commitment to properly raising a turtle should consult a veterinarian regarding the humane euthanasia of the reptile.

"It's the best thing for the environment and for the animal in the long run," Smith said. She recommended that those who are raising turtles visit the Web site: http://www.turtleforum.com or find more information at www.matts-turtles.org

The tale of the so-called salmonella-free baby turtles is living proof that one can't believe everything they read on the Internet or hear from sources appearing to be legitimate. The Kiefers have learned that the hard way.

 

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