SHARJAH A Sharjah nursery has upset animal lovers after it gave over 100 live turtles to its young students, some as young as three.
According to the playschool, this was days after a trip to the Sharjah Aquarium as part of a month-long ‘Fish and Beaches’ theme. “We saw how enchanted they were with the marine species they saw and we thought of making the trip even more memorable by gifting each one of them a small turtle,” the school’s administrator told XPRESS.
Well intentioned
However, animal activists say this surprise gift raises animal abuse concerns and should have been better planned. “It’s a family decision after all. So while this may look well intentioned, it will not be seen well thought out as long as each and every member of the family is not consulted and told of the decision. However small it is, it’s a life after all,” said Peta Wittig, founder of a Dubai-based pet adoption website.
“Giving turtles to kids is a fantastic idea, but then their parents must be well educated about this because not all members of a family may care for the little pet just as much and in some cases the turtles could be mishandled or even be abused,” said Narges Khouzestan, another Dubai-based animal carer and activist.
Some parents too were not amused by the nursery’s gesture of giving a turtle uninformed. The school however clarified that parents could return the turtle immediately if they did not want to keep it.
Many parents said they loved the surprise as well. “It’s such a unique and wonderful gift that will surely interest my child very much. The smile my child had on his face while getting off the bus with the turtle in his hand said it all,” said another parent.
Dr. Reza Khan, the Wildlife and Zoo Management Specialist at Dubai Municipality, however, confirmed to XPRESS that such turtles can be bred easily at home.
