Stingray Education/Collection Trip
- Thread starter abortedsoul
- Start date
I don;t think you guys are being very realistic about collecting rays in Brazil. Even with 'connections' it is not that easy, nor cheap, nor particularly pleasant for most of the time.
They will take one look at any of you and KNOW that you are a foreigner and the price of everything will immediately be X10. Also Brazilian rays are quota'd to ad to your complications. You may have better luck in Peru, if you want ugly motoros or giant tigers.
Go to the Amazon on a nice vacation, but not a specific collecting trip,then come back and purchase a ray from a reputable person like Mike at H2O and save yourself $$thousands.
They will take one look at any of you and KNOW that you are a foreigner and the price of everything will immediately be X10. Also Brazilian rays are quota'd to ad to your complications. You may have better luck in Peru, if you want ugly motoros or giant tigers.
Go to the Amazon on a nice vacation, but not a specific collecting trip,then come back and purchase a ray from a reputable person like Mike at H2O and save yourself $$thousands.
I have no interest in collecting rays from the wild, rather just observing them.
The point of captive breeding is to minimize this as much as possible. I would much rather see them in their natural state than remove them from it
The point of captive breeding is to minimize this as much as possible. I would much rather see them in their natural state than remove them from it
Hystrix;3254847; said:I have no interest in collecting rays from the wild, rather just observing them.
The point of captive breeding is to minimize this as much as possible. I would much rather see them in their natural state than remove them from it
Very, very valid point. Let me address it for a moment, if I may.
The data on the wild populations is sparse, but seeing them in their natural environment would be a thrill like no other. Being able to care for them, and using them for fresh breeding stock in the future, does not pose a moral problem to me. As long as it is within quota, and it prevents more future capture (exponentially, via breeding), it could be beneficial in the long run.
DavidW;3241257; said:
As long as it isn't a violent or destructive process, I wouldn't be looking for a relaxing vacation trip. I'm all for the down-and-dirty, pull the leeches out of your skin kind of travel. I've lived (and survived) by myself in arctic, desert, and jungle conditions for extended periods of time with nothing but a small survival kit and a radio. Good point to raise, and if you could elaborate on the "nor particularly pleasant" part of your statement, it could provide a more complete picture for us to grasp.
As far as the financial side of it goes, I understand that it could be expensive. I would be willing to absorb a rather heavy financial hit, but like every consumer there is a threshold. If we could get some estimates together, it would give us a better idea of what we're looking at.
Ashley and I already have a Peru/Uruguay trip in the works, but it would be mostly just to see the area and collect a few specimens (to include a stingray or two).
