Premier pleads for end to poaching and illegal wildlife trade

Premier Wayne Panton is calling for an end to poaching and for people to stop facilitating poachers by buying illegally-taken wildlife.

His call comes after a nesting green sea turtle was rescued by conservation officer Chadd Bush from poachers on Grand Cayman.

Panton, following Cayman Compass queries, commended Bush for his efforts, but he said fighting poaching takes commitment from the community.

“To the people buying wild turtle meat and other poached seafood – and you know who you are – please, just stop. That is what you can do to make our Cayman Islands remain the envy of the Caribbean, both for the quality of our natural environment and for the quality of our people,” Panton said in an emailed statement.

He said as premier and minister of sustainability and climate resiliency, he is always heartened to see the extent to which the “Department of Environment, civil servants, residents and even visitors will go to in protecting the beautiful natural environment of the Cayman Islands”.

In the latest poaching incident, Bush found the large nesting green turtle on her back with her flippers tied with rope.

“To know that this officer is just one of a team of civil servants, interns and many volunteers on all three islands who are looking out for the best interests of, not just our turtles, but the diverse and often threatened flora and fauna of our country, gives me great hope for our Cayman Islands,” the premier said.

DoE’s post-graduate researchers, Joe Roche and Alessandra Bielli, who assist the department for the season and monitor the 24-hour Turtle Hotline, also responded to the scene to examine the turtle and ensure she was uninjured, before releasing her back to sea

“I know that some will say this was just this officer’s job, but to be chasing poachers by yourself night after night, protecting our few remaining nesting turtles, takes dedication beyond just doing your job. I’d like to thank Officer Bush for saving this turtle’s life and the Department of Environment’s small but dedicated team of Conservation Officers working tirelessly behind the scenes to protect our precious natural resources,” Panton said.

Though Bush was able to save the turtle on Grand Cayman, a nesting loggerhead turtle on the Brac was not so lucky earlier this month.

“In the face of threats to our country and our environment, whether direct threats like poaching or existential threats like climate change, to know that we have people who will do their utmost for their country, should inspire us all to do our part,” Panton added.