The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the owner of the so-called red-eared slider, which is also kept as a pet, in case a law is passed to prohibit the sale or release of the so-called red-eared slider because it has an impact on the ecosystem. It turned out that we are considering to make people aware of the idea that slaughter is also necessary if it is unavoidable, while keeping it as a basis.
It is expected that there will be discussions about the pros and cons in the future.
Regarding the red-eared slider, which is an alien species and is also called the red-eared slider, the national government has a policy of prohibiting the sale, import, and natural release while allowing breeding, and the necessary amendment to the Alien Species Act is being deliberated in the Diet. ..
The red-eared slider is said to be bred by 1.1 million households and has become established as a pet, but it has a long lifespan of about 40 years, and if the law is passed and it is prohibited to release it naturally, will it be possible to keep it? It will be an issue.
For this reason, the Ministry of the Environment has begun to consider disseminating ideas about the owner's response.
The basic principle is to keep them responsibly until the end, and if it is difficult, they will find a substitute owner, and if it is unavoidable, they will need to be slaughtered.
As a specific example, we are also considering showing the disposal method by freezing used for extermination.
Regarding the disposal of animals, there are different views on the position of concern about the adverse effects of alien species on the ecosystem and the position of animal welfare, and it is expected that there will be debate over the pros and cons in the future.
What is "Mississippia red-eared slider"?
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the "Red-eared slider", also known as the "Red-eared slider," was imported in the late 1950s and has been widely bred at home as a pet.
The juvenile is a small turtle, only a few centimeters in size, but when it grows up, its shell can reach up to 30 centimeters in size and is said to have a lifespan of 40 years.
According to a survey by the Ministry of the Environment, it is estimated that the total number of households raised in 2019 was about 1.6 million in 1.1 million households nationwide.
On the other hand, abandoned red-eared sliders have increased in ponds and rivers in various places, and are now distributed in all prefectures from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
Due to the high frequency of spawning and strong fertility, it is said that more than 9 million animals currently live in the field in Japan.
As a result, the number of native turtles competing for food and whereabouts has decreased, which has an impact on the ecosystem.
In addition, damage to agriculture has been confirmed, such as eating sprouts in lotus root fields, and there are calls for action.