Tuatara killing
Sir, — I add my protest to that of Mrs Margaret Dennis. (October 6) about the unnecessary killing of a rare tuatara. I am astounded by Dr Dell’s reported remarks. Flicking through an encyclopaedia I found the time it takes to replace this extremely rare reptile. After the sperms have entered the female, eight months elapse before the eggs are buried. They are then left unattended until hatching 15 months later. No wonder their breeding rate is the lowest on record. I know of three Nelson potters with the expertise to make a model suitable for a rubber mould. The majority of New Zealanders would be unable to tell the difference, so no doubt Peking would be none the wiser. Other merchandise, e.g. bird and flower tea towels retail well, and the colours are often anything but the natural colours of the natives they intimate. - Yours, etc., (Mrs) MARY J. LAFRENTZ. Motueka. October 8, 1979.
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Press, 11 October 1979, Page 20
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156Tuatara killing Press, 11 October 1979, Page 20
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