Well, Brian, I meant no offense. I was just presenting my argument based upon my own experiences, which is more than I can say for your posts in this thread, which are nothing more than a series of declarative statements backed up by no justification or evidence whatsoever. For instance, your notion that the hobby isn't a part and parcel of preservation takes a giant dump on the work of Chris and countless others who do conservation work and attempt to preserve local forms for the future, given the dire outlook most of these species face in the wild. Many species are losing ground, especially in east Asia, and I believe captive breeding and eventual rerelease is the only hope for many species. Breeding turtles and tortoises in captivity also reduces the stress on wild populations. Were it not for captive breeding, my favorite species, the marginated tortoise, would be unavailable in captivity today, and were it not for the work of captive keepers, civilization's collective knowledge of these animals would be substantially less as well. And I suspected that you didn't have any qualms about hybridization, but unlike you, I don't go around foolishly assuming the nature of other's views. And look, if you want to insult me by saying my statements are "lame" without actually addressing exactly what fault you find in them, go right ahead. Insulting my argument doesn't refute it, and you can't deny that keeping a turtle/tortoise by itself is "incorrect." This isn't a playground, and we aren't five years old. Calling what I say lame isn't going to accomplish anything, but hey, if you've got a problem with me or what I've said, that's on you, partner.
T.G.
T.G.