Wal-Mart Burying Tortoises Alive

Where is Bob Dylan when you need him?

Wal-Mart is evil, just plain evil.

One has to wonder if the Walton Family and their executives have a conscience. Burying animals alive. Just despicable!

Wal-Mart: Always Low Ethics, Always....

Reading the story, I can find no information on how they determined that five turtles were there.  I suspect that somebody estimated that there was about one turtle per acre.  Since the Walmart and the parking lot was about five acres there were five turtles.  With this logic, no new buildings or business should be built anywhere, because some animal will likely suffer.  That is a very nice sentiment, but not very practicle.

Big T

According to Florida state law, Wal-Mart could not move the turtles off-site, but they could have moved them to another tract on the site. The choice Wal-Mart made speaks volumes about their business model.

Jeb.  Did you read the whole article?

“These are the main rubs: The tortoises thrive in the same high, sandy ground that developers prize. And the most popular alternative to burial — moving the tortoises someplace else — has serious drawbacks.

Some gopher tortoises suffer from a contagious respiratory disease, so the state won’t allow landowners to move them off-site. And some relocation attempts do more harm than good: Dumped onto unsuitable habitat, the tortoises try to flee, only to fall victim to cars or dogs.

Landowners also can move the tortoises to a safe spot within the same tract as their original burrow. But eventually that can leave tortoises scattered in isolated spots throughout a subdivision, unable to reach each other to breed.”

“It’s kind of a feel-good permit,” wildlife commission biologist Ricardo Zambrano said of that last option. “It has very little biological value for the tortoises.”

What you are proposing is that all development be stopped on the off chance that a turtle just might be burrowin under that specific site.

Wal-Mart could have did the right thing and move the turtles to another site on the tract of land. But just like refusing to pay their employees decent wages and providing them affordable healthcare, Wal-Mart did the wrong thing and killed the turtles. That decision speaks volumes about Wal-Mart’s disrespect for life.

See this is why I don’t shop there anymore. Thats just cruel and careless.

My disdain for Wal Mart grows more each day.  Driving by their crowded stores makes me ill.  This story seems to be typical of their way of operating and only caused me to detest them more.

After reading the article, although Wal-Mart could have spent a couple of extra days looking into a way that would have better PR impact of removing the turtles, it seems like not only was this the only viable option, but it wasn’t even Wal-Mart’s choice.

After working in contracting for many years, I know that decisions regarding construction are left for the foreman, and that clients simply foot the bill. More likely than not Wal-Mart was simply told that burying the turtles was the only option, and they then just wrote a check.

Unfortunate for the turtles, but there are worse things in life. Five turtles died today in Florida, hundreds of thousands of PEOPLE died today in Africa.

This is truly heartbreaking… I’m ashamed to have ever shopped there knowing that they’re capable of destroying precious life without batting an eyelash. So sad…

Disgusted.

Walmart, you lost another customer.

Oh my god, its a turtle. A few states over there was mass killings because of Katrina, how about you find some better thing to do becides complain about dead turtles. Waste of your reporters life might I say so myself, s/hes getting paid what, 8 an hour?

I’m in the environmental business and know about the problems associated with building and animals.

While you choose to highlight that Wal-Mart did this, don’t yoy feel you should do a bit of research and see what other companies did the same?

Of course not, because you may not like what you find.

Be intellectually honest and state facts that are good and bad. That’s what the blogosphere is about, not a jihad against one company because they won’t allow unions.

Scott,

Let’s get back on the topic. The post says nothing about unions.... The main focus is that Wal-Mart killed turtles needlessly. I’m sure you wouldn’t commit such a terrible act.

Scott,
Get real...will you.  Absolutely nothing was mentioned about Unions...Animal killings were mentioned.
I live in Deptford, NJ where we are currently facing the nightmare of not one but THREE super Walmarts coming to town within an 6 mile radius of each other...(Gonna be changing the name of Deptford to Walford.)
We have the same wildlife issues which are currently being ignored by Walmart.  Bottom line for Walmart is and always be the Almighty Buck at the expense of everything and everyone else.  As long as the Waltons can maintain their billion dollar a year income, why should they care, right??

Who are you kidding Patrick? This whole site is about unions. Look at the about section and tell me differently.

Let’s be rational, animals die every time a new building is constructed, that’s a fact. The house you live in was constructed on the ground where countless animals called home. The same for the building you work in and the roads you drive on.

Wal-Mart is no different than any other company and the article above was just another in a long line of hit pieces aimed at the nations largest employer.

The Gopher Tortoise is not an endangered species:

http://www.educationcentral.org/sandalwood/herpetology/LEGAL.HTM

Do I feel good that they buried them alive? No way, I’m an animal lover. Did they do anything illegal? Again, no. Perhaps they should’ve moved them if that was feasible, but Wal-Mart has the right to build where they have been given approval.

This site is nothing but a joint effort by unions who are in decline and leftists who Google Wal-Mart every morning to find any dirt they can. You people hate Wal-Mart simply because they’ve been anti-union. We have seen where unions have gotten GM and Ford, haven’t we?

You and your media enablers have lied and cheated to further your case and the country sees right through it, especially after the havoc the TWU caused in NYC this week.

http://environmentalrepublican.blogspot.com/2005/12/zogby-poll-skewed.html

Scott,
sounds to me you’re just anti-union and that’s just too bad for you.  I’m not a member of any union but having worked on both ends (management and along side the unions) I’ve developed a respect for the Union values.  Their idea of a decent wage and a huge conglomerate like Walmart differ tremendously.  A decent wage to the Unions are above the poverty level with affordable medical benefits...whereas someone like Walmart prefers to keep their employees below the poverty level offering orientations on how to get State aid for your kids so they don’t have to pay.  And the benefits a company like Walmart offer are virtually out of reach for the average worker given the fact their base wage is, maybe, if they are lucky $8.00 per hour.
I am sure you have done your homework where the evil unions are concerned.  Perhaps you should devote some of that effort into researching an entity such as Walmart.

I have union guys currently on my payroll as I do alot of work in north Jersey and they rule up there.

Don’t feed me that garbage that unions only want people to make a decent wage, above the poverty line. They want their members to make outrageous wages, way above the poverty line. I know because I sign the checks every week.

Look at the trouble GM is having. They pay the UAW huge wages and they build an inferior product with the end result being that they are now out of work. This not only effects the UAW, it has a domino effect that effects numerous industries and companies.

If employees feel that Wal-Mart pays to little, they have the right to go and work elsewhere. They also can go to school and learn a trade that will pay them more. That’s the American way.

Whether you like it or not, Wal-Mart is good for America and despite what you may think, is generally good for any community they open in.

Let’s sum up; if Wal-Mart pays too low a wage, employees can find other work. If enough employee’s do this, Wal-Mart will be forced to increase wages to stay competitive. That’s supply and demand.

The flip side is that if the unions get their way, the wages will be artificially inflated and Wal-Mart becomes less competitive automatically. It’s not good for the country and it’s a bad policy.

One of the core American beliefs is that if you have the knowledge, balls and money to start a company, you can run that company as you see fit within the law. Wal-Mart chooses to not go union as is their perogative.

Bernadette,

I live in Marlton and we’ve allowed a Wal Mart to be built. Medford has not. You have the right to tell your elected offcials that you don’t want a Wal Mart in your town.

This is a democracy and if they don’t listen, vote them out.

But let me ask you this; when they built the hundreds of other stores in Deptford, did you get as upset as you are now?

As for Wal Mart worshiping the almighty dollar, that’s capitalism. They have a duty to make as much money for their shareholders as they can.

Class warfare is ridiculous. If someone works their way up and makes $5-million a year, more power to them. We all have the same opportunity.

Anyway, you are delusional if think the unions aren’t in it for the money. The “honest wage” rhetoric is a lie. The union leaders are getting fat, dumb and happy on the backs of the working union personnel. Perhaps you should figure out how unions work and see who’s making out and who’s getting screwed.

Scott says:

“Perhaps they should’ve moved [the turtles] if that was feasible.”

We’re talking about a $10 billion dollar company. Surely, Wal-Mart could have done the right thing and moved the turtles. But no, Wal-Mart takes the low road and kills the turtles. It’a always about the bottom line, whether it be wildlife, wages or healthcare. No respect for life, absolutley no respect for life

People are often judged by the way they treat animals. And this cruel behavior fits a pattern with the disdain Wal-Mart has for their employees and communities across the country.

How about this, you all tell me who you work for and I’ll show you that your companies are just as guilty. Every company that is more than twenty years old has environmental skeletons. I know because I’m the one who cleans them up.

Anyone wish to answer my challenge?

What’s up guys? No response. Just as I thought.

Name one company that you all work for and I’ll show you the bad things in their corporate past.

walmart has cheap prices, the thing about burying the turtles was crap. walmart execs should be ashamed of that. burying anything that is still living is totally wrong. maybe it would be ok if some walmart execs were thrown in a ditch and buried alive.

Some at this site wish that were the case, Eric.

More thoughts on this foolishness can be found here:

http://environmentalrepublican.blogspot.com/2005/12/watching-wal-mart-watch.html

I read about the killings of the turtles,words really can’t say how i feel about this but lets remeber thats not all WalMart is killing its killing a decent wage, decent living,decent pensions,they are killing the mom and pop store ,they’re killing the enviroment ,theyre killing small towns,theyre killing jobs both in Amarica and Canada and the world ..So when i read this about a small innocent animal i think how small of a animal we are when we will shop there to save a dollar shame on us...one day we will all be working for $8.00hr with no benefits and we can only look at our selves to blame for allowing it to happen ,and we can thank WalMart for being a nasty bully

Hey Nanook,

You’re right. In Canada, if you continue to follow the socialist policies in place, you will all be working for $8.00 (Canadian) per hour.

Reap what you sow and WalMart doesn’t have a damn thing to do with it.

Hey Scott,

Well first i’m proud to be a Canadian. and if that means a socialist than so be it .but with out looking in a dictionary what is a Nanook? plus again it shows your arragance on this matter Walmart is killing the way of life for thousands of hard working families.. and a true grown up doesn’t have to resort to calling names as you know sticks and stones.. and oh i forgot Vancouver BC was able to keep Walmart out of its city ,yahoo on the city of Vancouver for Killing this evil giant..

I’ve been told that another box ‘discount’ store will be placed in Whitehorse within the next few years to kick Wal-Mart’s arse...kick that horseshoe in so hard it’ll actually hurt.  No more happy-go-lucky Wal-Mart in the North soon.

Yes, Scott, not all companies are Angels...but Wal-Mart is by far the biggest and richest...and they are by far one of the worst still.  You are just trying to find excuses and justification to defend Wal-Mart’s money power ...pulling other companies down the drain with it still doesn’t make Wal-Mart look any better.  BTW, do you by any chance recieve any shares and profts from Wal-Mart??  That’s the only reason why one would even think of defending them…

Oh, and by the way Scott...Nanook???  Haha sorry buddy, wrong place for that.  Polar bears don’t venture this far south inland and they don’t live in forests.  We actually have trees here, and we don’t live in iglus here either.....  Now I’m really curious as to how much of your info and argument is actually to the LEAST accurate???

I would love to see Scott work in one of the developing countries in South Asia putting toys together for a living, at a wage of $0.75/day....or, actually even “lucky” enough to work around the clock getting paid $7/hr in North America and see what he thinks about it…

Its ok, come out of the Wal-Mart closet!  You won’t be alone…

Hey Tony,

I’ve been to Malaysia and Thailand where they make these goods. They’re happy to have any work.

I did once make minimum wage, but I went in the Navy and then to college to increase my value. I then took a chance and started my own company.

That is a bit harder in Canada. But, fortunately, it would appear change is coming to out northern neighbor. We see what the liberals have wrought.

As for Wal-Mart, I own no stock and have no dog in this fight with the exception of seeing a successful American enterprise attacked by people with ulterior motives they are too cowardly to actually state.

Go to my site, you’ll see I deal only with facts, whether they agree with my point or not. You won’t see me hiding behind a well-orchestrated campaign funded by unions and environmentalist groups. I am backed by no one but the consensus of the American people (at least if you read polls done by someone other than Zogby).

Stupid builders, stupid WalFart.
These tortoises are not exactly abundant...I was overly excited to see just ONE at NASA earlier this year.  Just because they’re a tortoise doesnt mean they’re not important. I hate people who whine about ‘oh my god it’s just a turtle’ ...they dont deserve to die for a stupid building. We are the cause of every freaking specie’s demise, when they’re gone...we’re gone. What’ll be left? A world full of empty buildings ....and empty Walfarts.

This thread seems to have gone South past the keys and out into the Gulf.

1) The ACTUAL story does not document turtles being buried alive ... it indicates that turtles might have been on the construction site, and according to averages, there might have been five turtles.  That’s speculation, based on a tip from a resident ... unnamed.
2) There are no Wal-Mart executives shoveling dirt on the construction site ... any earthwork is done by a contracting firm ... as Rob points out, Wal-Mart may ultimately pay the price, but the decision to move the earth is a local decision.  Perhaps the concerned citizens should make sure that the contracting firm doesn’t get any further work in the area.
3) For the Canadians ... no offense, but I’m praying for ya’ll.  Glad to see that your governing officials may actually have to start listening to the people.  Lecture us in the US not on your subsidized healthcare ... waiting three years for a hip replacement is not my idea of a utopia.
4) Byslady in SoCal - read the book “State of Fear” by Michael Crichton.  You probably won’t like it ... but even though he has written a fictional story, he’s got a ton of reference material in there that totally debunks your rant about the “freaking specie’s demise”, whatever that is.

</SOAPBOX>
JJ

To Rob in Atlanta, GA

Theres 6.4 Billion people on the planet while each endangered species has only a few thousand of their numbers left.  So excuse me if I don’t shed a tear for the little humans in Africa, or anywhere else for that matter.
And if your offended by my lack of political correctness then deal with it!  If we keep destroying the planet then all of your humans will be dead someday.  Nope, not big on the humans…

Funny, how some folks don’t read the entire article.  You should hold the state of Florida responsible for this travesty.

Actually if you read the Fish and Wildlife site it says that tortoises CAN be relocated off site as long as they are cleared by a veterinarian as being in top health. Alternatively there are captive breeding programs for endangered and threatened species of tortoises. It is very hard for individuals to get adult animals of breeding age or any threatened species of tortoise especially the gopher tortoise. It costs in permits and facilities but most breeders that I know would live their left arm for a chance to own and breed gopher tortoises. These animals could have been placed in captive breeding programs which could use the genetic diversity that these animals would have offered.  The young then CAN be released into the wild providing they have a clean bill of a health from a state veterinarian. 

These were alternative and better options than just bulldozing the site and paying a fee for the lost animals.

Scott,

I’m curious as to why you think that it’s ok that WalMart or any company continue in disregard for the land they develop or the employees that they hire?  Just because many businesses have questionable histories does not mean that all have remained as such. Everyone is guilty of some transgression however it is when one fails to accept responsibility and improve that the issue comes to light. I can’t change what happened 20 years ago, but I can take measures to hopefully stop the reoccurance of such now. I learn from the past in efforts to save the future. So while you think it is pointless to stand up and say something when a company does something irresponsible and cruel, I think it’s more of a crime to sit back and say nothing. Silence never brought change.  The forefathers of our country knew that which is why we have the right to stand up today and be heard when an injustice is done be it against man or animal.

Mr. Puckett,

Not all businesses stand up and are responsible. Some of the “greenest” companies have environmental skeletons.

Why do you think that some sites have been on the Superfund list for 20 years?

Anyway, why I feel Wal-Mart should have relocated the turtles, I further feel that they built within the law as set by the Florida Legislature.

Here’s a question: do you live in an igloo? if not, the home you live in cause irreparable damage to the environment. Do you use the bathroom? You have used precious water and fouled oceans from the effluent. Do you drive a car? Than you have fouled the air and soil.

I could go on and on.

I assume you work...OK,let’s pretend you work, I imagine where you work either makes something or sells something that has had a detrimental effect on the planet. You may not have seen it but it happened.

Get the hell out of here with your solipsistic, self righteous attitude, dude, it ain’t gonna fly when you’re talking hypocritical rhetoric.

Talk about not looking at the big picture.  If we all lived by the same rules none of us would have a roof over our head today.  There must have been birds in trees and rabbits in their holes at our present home sites before construction.

Give me a break already

It’s sad to see that if you have enough money, you are above the law.  They have permits for killing turtles?  Why didn’t they just pick them up and throw them in the ocean or something… -_-

This is rediculous. The article offers no actual evidence at all that there were 5 tortoises on site, and I can’t imagine someone actual counting the number, then making a big deal out of it.

Sounds to me like more sensationalist garbage, designed to rally support for your cause because you can’t find any real information.

Scott,

Where do u work, and what do u drive. i won’t believe that u don’t drive or use a bathroom. look in the mirror, it’s impossible to survive in this world without those things. we may be focussing on this a little to much but wal-mart at the head of the news because its actions have been so much worse than all the other businesses. if we can change walmart maybe we have the power to change all of the others. remember this i will not stop the change and i will do my best to continue the movement

What is wrong with you? You sorry scumbags! You cheap phonies! WHAT The Hell Is Wrong With You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You sucky damn liars

I see people stating that “this was most likely the most viable option”. They let them sit there buried to suffocate! Putting them instantly out of their misery would have been a better option than that. At least they wouldn’t have been made to suffer. But Wal-Mart probably would have been fined or something for such an act. So what happens to them since they let them suffer a less humane way?! At the very least, the tortoises should have been relocated to a controlled environment where they could have been closely monitored and tested for the disease. At least there they could have lived out their lives naturally. This is what happens when people care more for lining their wallets than innocent lives.