Put turtles and dugongs on the election agenda in QLD

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Please click on and sign Put turtles and dugongs on the election agenda in QLD

Background | Source: Animals Australia

Turtles and dugongs in far north Queensland are in deep water. Their numbers are dwindling and Queensland law is failing to protect them from brutal slaughter. But the coming QLD election may offer a glimmer of hope for these endangered animals.

Campaigning by Animals Australia and colleague groups has led to a hard-hitting report on ABC’s 7:30, exposing the cruel slaughter of turtles and dugongs for ‘traditional’ hunting and a black market trade in their meat and body parts.

These ‘traditional’ hunts are not only exempt from laws to protect endangered species, but in Queensland are also exempt from laws protecting animals from cruelty — allowing turtles to be carved up whilst still conscious and dugongs to be dragged for many minutes by boat, with their head under water, until they drown.

Following the 7:30 exposé, QLD’s Labor government announced an inquiry. The LNP went further, stating that if in power they would remove the animal cruelty exemptions allowing this cruelty to continue. But while turtles and dugongs remain unprotected, both parties need to know the public wants this stopped. As politicians race to win over voters, the coming Queensland election may be sink or swim for these endangered animals.

Please take a moment before election day (24th March) to send a message to the Labor Party and LNP in QLD calling on them to protect turtles and dugongs from this cruel slaughter.

Message Text

I’m writing to you as a concerned community member to call on you and your party to protect turtles and dugongs from extreme cruelty.

I was appalled to learn that Queensland is the only state that allows turtles and dugongs to be brutally slaughtered, suffering prolonged and painful deaths — if the slaughter is for ‘traditional’ purposes.

Societies the world over are increasingly recognising the fact that culture is no excuse for cruelty. Many indigenous leaders in Queensland should be applauded for their decision to place a moratorium on the slaughter of turtles and dugongs and to protect these endangered animals. The fact the Queensland government is hindering their efforts by allowing these animals to be killed in the cruelest of fashions is appalling.

Animal welfare is fast becoming a critical issue for Australian voters. You have a great opportunity to make Queensland a kinder state. I urge you and your party to make a pre-election guarantee that you will remove the loophole allowing traditional slaughter to be exempt from animal cruelty laws.

turtles and dugongs
gentle and kind
in your political
agendas
please do not
leave them behind
enact protection
so they can
safely swim
or else their
futures are
very grim

Karen Lyons Kalmenson