THE EDITOR, Sir:ON BEHALF of the J.S.P.C.A. I would like to commend the good Samaritan (who did not give his name) Commander Sidney Innis, Ltd. Steve Bachelor and the men of the JDF Coast Guard for their compassion and their valued assistance.
On Saturday October 11, 2003 a gentleman brought into our clinic at Winchester Road, a beautiful Hawksbill Turtle that he had rescued from a group of men along the North Coast. After a brief examination of the animal, and no serious injuries found we knew that this animal must be returned to the sea as soon as possible if it was to have any hope of survival. Like the good Samaritan, we were at a quandary as to how to proceed.
We decided to make contact with Commander Sidney Innis the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard who immediately offered to help. Lt. S. Bachelor, the Duty Officer, arranged for a boat and crew to be readied and awaited my arrival at Cagway. Within half an hour of my arrival my precious cargo was taken out to open sea and deposited safely back to her environs.
This marine turtle's shell has been highly valued for centuries, but international trade has been banned since the introduction of the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1975. Inspite of this, many Jamaicans continue to pollute and destroy their habitats, take their eggs, capture and kill them.
To our good Samaritan and the JDF Coast Guard, I quote "Some men dream of worthy accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them".
I am, etc.,
J.S.P.C.A.
PAMELA LAWSON
General Manager
