We occasionally get an out-of-the-ordinary enquiry about animal shipping. Recently we received an email asking if we could transport a single grasshopper from India to Germany, to the University of Hamburg.
We assume it was for research purposes. However, in this case we couldn’t help with the transport, so didn’t ask for any further information.
If it’s a journey we can potentially help with, however, we would ask questions and consider the ethics of doing work for research institutions. Many of us have fairly strong views on whether or not insects should be used in this way, and we often find ourselves weighing up the requests we get against our views on what is a good thing for animal welfare.
We can also call on the advice of animal welfare science professionals if need be.
Perhaps the grasshopper was having a long-distant relationship with a german academic bol??
BOL indeed! Perhaps we saved them from realising it was all a big mistake?
Most definitely!
Well now I have heard everything – bizarre!
Yup, odd odd odd.
Definitely!
I don’t know really what to say to that..I’m laughing..It wasn’t serious, surly??? xxooxx
Ermmm, it was
Ok, I know it’s odd but after witnessing an ant incident at an airport in Seattle this doesn’t surprise shock me much. Kid wanted to bring his ant farm to Brazil, there were tears and all sort I prophanities. But I’d have to agree with Misaki, this case could be love.
Oh dear – can just see that poor child’s face. Such a normal assumption at that age. Yes, let us put it down to love – such a nice notion
India to Germany is in and of itself an unique route. Perhaps it was really a locust.
What concerns me about this is the possibility of introducing a species of insect that be very destructive from one location to another – even if it’s for research.
Let’s hope that as there’s only one, it won’t reproduce
When you get a second..please join me and 6 friends on my porch.
Got something for y’all. Hey, fair is fair!
Thanks.
http://help-me-rhonda.com/2012/08/23/seven-deadly-humiliat-sins/
Oooh, we’re on our way…
YAY
Aw, I hope he wasn’t a research victim.
We don’t know what it was all about – perhaps it was thought that this ONE grasshopper could be a new strain. We’ll never know and it would have been a well kept secret anyway
Couldn’t believe the title… the text that followed was even more bizarre. I haven’t quite reached the sensitivity required to protect every last bug on the planet, but….. this was nothing if not strange.
Never a dull moment round here but it can seam surreal sometimes
Fascinating! I am a huge fan of insects and am pleased to discover that there are people out there who are protecting their interests when a situation like this one arises.
Stand up for what you believe. You’ll sleep better.
Oh Cod!!! you guys have the MOST interesting clients….ummmm…prospective clients…MOL
Yes Savvy, we do get some off the wall enquiries!
I hope that poor grasshopper is off to join the rest of the family!
Yes, we kind of feel the poor soul must have got left behind, somehow.
I bet there are some really tight laws regarding transporting insects internationally. So many are destructive and invasive.
There are but research institutes can usually muster the right ticked boxes
Animal Couriers were contacted by phone
We need you to bring Gerald home
We tried on the plane, the bus and the train
But we couldn’t get him a ticket
Cos he’s an insect, a grasshopper…. a cricket!!
Oh Jane, where would the laughs be without you! We were getting rather starved of your humour. Hope Officer Oswald will be reporting in soon on the latest crime wave in Biddissville