Red-Eared Slider Turtles.

Red-Eared Slider Turtles. 5/5/2007
Until recently I had never heard of Red-Eared Slider Turtles, but apparently they are a major problem up in Queensland although they are a prohibited import. Despite that, they have been illegally imported and since first being discovered in Queensland 8 years ago have now been found in 5 of our 6 states plus the Australian Capital territory.
Despite that, it has just made the Melbourne papers. Why? Because someone has released some into at least one small recreational lake in outer Melbourne. These apparently have already started breeding and they are afraid that they will escape into other waterways and cause extensive damage to native species of water life.
That these turtles are a major environmental disaster was highlighted in a follow up item that said special dogs have been trained up in Queensland to locate these turtles and they are trying to bring one down here until they can train some of our own.
These Slider Turtles sound like some of the bad habits in our lives don’t they? A bit like smoking or drinking to excess! They all seem fun and harmless and certainly very attractive at first, but like the Slider Turtles, they soon take over and dominate our lives don’t they?
I may seem like I am talking about smoking and drinking only, but I am sure there are many other habits in our lives, that although not as obvious as them, are dominating and taking over our lives, aren’t there? I guess the real question is not so much what it is, as you already know that, but the real question is, what are you going to do about it?
So far the authorities have tried traps for the turtles and have even flown down an expert from Queensland to help guide and direct their efforts. They are even now, as stated above talking about bringing in specialist help in the form of trained dogs to help.
What are you doing to help eradicate your problem habits? Are you still trying to do it by yourself, but are starting to realize that you may need outside, specialist help? If so, don’t be embarrassed to seek and even demand the needed help, because delaying the inevitable is not a good choice. It will only get worse unless you do something about it and get help now. What say you? Walter