A 38-year-old man was caught smuggling more than 10 percent of the world's entire tortoise species.
Wildlife smuggling is not uncommon but what is uncommon is when a man is caught in possession of more than 10 percent of the world's entire tortoise species. According to a news report by mongabay.com, the man, identified as O. Visarnkol, was arrested on site by Thai officials with a bag of 54 ploughshare tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora) and 21 radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata).
According to statistics only 400 ploughshare tortoises exist in the world today making it the rarest species of tortoise while both specimens of tortoises are on the endangered list of animals, ploughshare tortoises are said to be more in danger.
The owner of the bag was traced to Clara Rahantamalala, a Malagasy woman who had just arrived from Madagascar, a place where both species are regularly found. She has also been arrested.
"The Thai authorities have placed the animals in a government rescue center-the Bang Pra Breeding Center in Chonburi," said Chris Shepherd, who works with TRAFFIC, to mongabay.com. "It is hoped they will be repatriated back to Madagascar as soon as possible. The longer they are held in Thailand, where the climate and conditions are not the same as in Madagascar, and therefore not suitable, the higher the likelihood of higher mortality rates. Furthermore, there are experts in Madagascar ready to accept and care for the seized tortoises."
The ploughshare tortoise is marked as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The species' entire population can be found within a 25 to 60 square kilometer range in Baly Bay in northwestern Madagascar. This 60-square kilometer consists mostly of dry forest and savanna, conditions much different than the humid weather prevalent in Thailand where the smuggled animals were confiscated. The scarcity of the species has increased their value on the illegal pet trade. They are also prized for their distinctively designed shells.
