The enthusiastic coastal patrol officers failed to identify and prosecute a man who was seen entering the same waters with a speargun earlier this year.
Shortly after, the man was seen exiting waters sans spear, while a juvenile turtle was found on the beach with a punctured lung, intestines, and liver.
The turtle died on the way to hospital.
No evidence that the puncture wound was caused by the spear found next to the turtle. No need for a witch hunt for the man who was seen entering the water with a spear, and seen exiting without one, the media cried.
Today, a juvenile foreigner was charged with the crime of touching a turtle.
Taiwan: Touch Your Heart. But don’t touch our turtles.
The usual Taiwan bullshit of “insufficient” evidence. The photo of the kid touching the turtle is indisputable, while the speargun guy is just circumstantial. Just like that fella who was found naked in bed with his likewise-naked mistress but they couldn’t be prosecuted for adultery because there wasn’t any photographic evidence of actual P-in-V intercourse.
So in that example you should be happy. I get the sarcasm but frankly if there is proof there is proof. If there isnt then thjngs should be handled carefully as such and not assumed based on what it appears to be.
I find the funny thing is that of all things in Pingtung, literally the cesspool of Taiwan, sea turtles are one thing theybtake seriously. Both eating and protecting haha. But its common knowledge now that Xiao liuqiu does actually take the sea turtle thing serious. Towards locals as well. Its not a witch hunt. I know locals get fined for the same thingm. And i see a massive difference from years ago compared to now on the general attitude towards them by the locals. Its actually a wonderful example to see. Though they have little reapect for most of the other life there. Baby steps.
So ya, fine the kid. Fine anyone. Its been well enforced for a while now. Just make the fines equal between offenders and move on.
To think…pingtung actually caring about another life form more than the rest of the country does. Gives us all hope
Have you seen there Tommy?
I’ve been there , its one of the worst crimes against animals I’ve ever seen.
They captured these sea turtles and stuck them in what can be described as a dark underwater cave under a temple. When the law changed they weren’t allowed capture any more of them but they could keep the ones they had.
“Evidence” in the form of photographs or videos are all that matters in such things. As much as I dislike it, you need to keep your phone ready to go in bad situations. Police don’t even want to hear people’s stories if there is a camera nearby. Of course, this is good in a lot of situations.
Personally, I think the kid should have been made to apologize to the turtle and pick up garbage on the beach for an entire day.
Its a conservation thing not really a turtle thing. Many turtles are not protected. So turtle meat to the food shops and shell powder to the penis clinics. Ironically many turtles are very hard to trade internationally as pets.
