UPDATE — Indian Star Tortoises

Remember the Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) dumped at the temple a few weeks ago? (see full story here: https://www.wfft.org/reptiles/endangered-star-tortoises-dumped-at-a-temple/) Have a look their new temporary home and the care they are receiving by the staff at the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre. We are closely monitoring their health, once they are a little larger they will be able to move into a larger field enclosure.

The Indian star tortoise is listed as Vulnerable (VU) to extinction by the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species. Recent studies have shown a huge increase in trade of this species to meet the huge international demand to keep them as pets. Since 1975, this species has been included on Appendix II of CITES. Consequently, international trade in specimens can take place if the correct permits are acquired. A recent conservative estimate of the annual international pet-trade export is 10,000 to 20,000 animals.