Legalities Regarding Turtles/Terrapins in Free State

[F1refly]

Hey all

Saw some ads on Gumtree for Turtles and Terrapins. What I want to know is, are you allowed to keep them in the Free State. I would really like to get a hold of a Terrapin or even a Snapping Turtle. Can anyone help me here regarding the Legalities and such?

[Westley Price]

I know which ads you are referring to.

The Red-eared Sliders will probably be illegal in the Free State, as they are in Gauteng, Western Cape, Northern Cape etc.

I doubt that Snapping Turtles would be a problem though, but I stand to be corrected.

[F1refly]

Interesting Now, who could I contact to find out? Nat Con? Now if they are alright to keep here in the Free State, I would still need to apply for a Transport Permit? Are the Red Eared Sliders and Snappers legal in Kwa-Zulu Natal though? I think I might need to relocate there.

[Fooble]

Illegal in KZN too.

[Westley Price]

You would need to contact your local Nat Con, probably Bloemfontein.

I know precious little about FS law regarding keeping of exotic animals. Best would be to call the relevant people at Nat Con and find out.

[F1refly]

Hey Called them, they said I must phone a guy who can help me with this matter. I will try and phone that Dude tommorow and find out from him. Would be cool to have A Huge Snapping Turtle and taking it for a walk around town. Watch all the people scatter.
I think I should move to KZN since they get to keep all the nice indigenous snakes.

[Westley Price]

I hope you previous comment was a joke?

You can't walk a Snapping Turtle like a dog.

[F1refly]

No really? Of course it was a joke. There is no ways you could walk a Snapper like a Dog. Sorry if my post was taken the wrong way. But yeah, will find out from Nat Con and who knows, I might have a Snapping Turtle living in my Bathtub in a few months time Just got a price indication for the Snapping Turtles and Sliders. R3500 for a Snapping Turtle and R950 for a Slider. Hmm. Might need to make a plan to get the cash. Granted it is legal here of course.

[Westley Price]

Wow, the seller are really pushing their luck if they're trying to sell illegal animals for R950 each!

I saw a Snapping Turtle at Pretoria Zoo a while back and it made a huge impression on me. Like a Whale Shark, but way more dangerous, haha.

[Fooble]

Sounds like a scam. Don't waste your money on that cr@p.

[imperial exotix]

I have found some ads on gumtree selling red eared sliders and snaping turtles. it was for sale in Dragonfire, thats a reptile shop on Durban.The price was R1000 each

[F1refly]

Yeah, there is no ways I am going to spend R3500 on something that is likely to take my fingers off. If only Red Eared Sliders weren't illegal. Is Dragonfire Pets a well known or good petshop?

[Wolf777]

Dragonfire is one of the best in the country in my opinion.

[Ales]

I highly doubt a reputable petshop will be selling illegal animals, never mind advertising them.

Can someone in Durban Please go past the petshop and check with them?

[boing]

As far as I am aware, both of those species are on the banned list for the entire country. The only legal specimens I know of are in Zoos and I am not sure if they are allowed to breed them.