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Eight Million Brazilian Turtles Invade China Each Year (Over 50 Million Being Raised At Chinese Turtle Farms)

The Brazilian turtle, originally from the south-central United States, was introduced into China in the 1980s via Hong Kong. Because the Brazilian turtle has strong vitality and is very easy to raise, it has been massively reproduced in breeding farms in China. According to experts, the Brazilian turtle has endangered the future of Chinese native turtles. This is an extremely grave invasion by a foreign species and may cause an ecological disaster.

According to a report in "Beijing Science and Technology" on May 25, every morning at 8:00 a.m., the pet turtles are the most conspicuous ones among the pet animals that are busily displayed in Tianqiao Pet Market in Beijing. The shop owners promote sales of turtle unceasingly to pedestrians: “Choose a Brazilian turtle if you want to have a pet”. A Brazilian turtle, the size of a bottle cap, costs 10 Chinese yuan for three; 5 yuan for a little larger one; 20 yuan for the one of size bigger than a bowl. The price is extremely cheap.