THE PHOTO ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PETITION IS OF A 60MM TORTOISE AND THE APPLICATOR GUN USED TO INSERT A MICROCHIP. THIS IS INSERTED INTO THIS TORTOISE'S REAR LEG!
THE APPLICATOR GUN IS THICKER THAN THE TORTOISE'S REAR LEG BONE
The Tortoise Protection Group is concerned at UK CITES' decision to insist that all tortoises of 60mm SCL (Straight Carapace Length) or above must be microchipped before they can be issued with an Article 10 Certificate. Previously tortoises could attain an SCL of anything up to 100mm before microchipping had to take place.
Whilst we applaud and support any legislation to reduce the trafficking of illegal tortoises, we do not believe in any legislation that causes undue pain and suffering to an animal, or in putting any animal's health at risk.
We have contacted a number of specialist reptile vets and over two dozen have taken the time to advise us that they do not agree with the microchipping of tortoises from 60mm SCL. A number of these have advised us that they have refused to microchip tortoises as small as 60mm
Burnham House Veterinary Surgery, Dover have kindly given us permission to use some x-rays they took for the Tortoise Protection Group. They clearly show the risk involved in microchipping tortoises as small as 60mm SCL, compared with a tortoise of 100mm SCL (Straight Carapace Length).
These can be viewed on our website:-
http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/tpg_microchipping_petition_225.asp
