Environment

Cayman Islands Turtle Farm accused of outdated practices and crippling debts by business model

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  1. Source: http://www.turtle.ky/faq
  2. Source: http://www.turtle.ky/research-conservation
  3. Source: Freedom of Information request, submitted by Rt Hon Greg Knight MP, received 20/08/12
  4. Source: Dr Neil D’Cruze, 2012, The Cayman Turtle Farm, a case for change. London: World Society for the Protection of Animals (available on request)
  5. Source: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, Cayman Turtle Farm visitor poll, August 2012. Participants were asked “Prior to your visit to the Cayman Turtle Farm, were you made aware of any potential health risks (e.g. Salmonella, E. Colietc.) associated with touching the turtles and/or their tanks?”

    More info about the poll:

  • Aim – to determine if cruise line tourists who had visited the CTF were aware of the animal welfare concerns and health risks associated with the farm.
  • Conducted – August 22nd - 31st, 2012
  • Sample size / demographic – 400 cruise line tourists who have visited the Cayman Turtle Farm in the last 3 years
  1. Source: http://www.blueiguana.ky/
  • Salmonella: one of the most common foodborne diseases, millions of cases are reported each year, with thousands of reported deaths. Diseases caused can range from gastroenteritis to typhoid fever. Most at risk are the very young and the elderly.
  • E. Coli: while found in the gut of people and animals, E. Coli bacteria is also a common cause of food poisoning and gastroenteritis. Severity of illness depends on the strain of bacteria, but young children, the elderly and people with a vulnerable immune system are most at risk.
  • Vibrio vulnificus: immunosuppressed people are considered most at risk, but it can affect anyone and is potentially fatal. Most disease-causing strains cause gastroenteritis, some result in cholera and it can also infect open wounds and cause septicaemia.

    More information, plus cited research can be found on P.15 in the WSPA-published document The Cayman Turtle Farm, a case for change.

  1. British/Caymanian world champion free diver, Tanya Streeter is also backing WSPA’s campaign. She said: “The Cayman Turtle Farm has definitely strayed too far away from its original goal of protecting green turtles. It makes me sad to see how much the turtles panic when they are picked up. The only time they react like this in the wild is when they are under attack or being poached by humans.”

Published October 15, 2012

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