Pet trade in Egypt

The interest in keeping exotic animals as pets is growing rapidlyA large international market has developed for these animals This illegal trade, poses an obvious threat to the survival of species in the wildAnimals suffer during capture and transport

The five species in the genus The five species in the genus TesudoTesudo::

● ●Testudo graecaTestudo graeca Linnaeus, 1758 (Greek Tortoise Linnaeus, 1758 (Greek Tortoise, Spur-Thighed Tortoise)

● ●Testudo hermanniTestudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 (Herman’s Tortoise) Gmelin, 1789 (Herman’s Tortoise)

● ●Testudo horsfieldiiTestudo horsfieldii Gray, 1844 (Russian Tortoise, Gray, 1844 (Russian Tortoise, Horsfield’s Tortoise)Horsfield’s Tortoise)

● ●Testudo marginataTestudo marginata Schoepff, 1792 (Marginated Tortoise) Schoepff, 1792 (Marginated Tortoise)

● ●Testudo kleinmanniTestudo kleinmanni Lortet, 1883 (Egyptian Tortoise) Lortet, 1883 (Egyptian Tortoise)

MEDITERRANEAN TORTOISE SPECIES

(L )4 YEAR-OLD FEMALE; )C( 5 YEAR-OLD MALE; )R( 6 MONTH OLD HATCHLINGS

●● Alternative name ●● Description ●● Habitat ●● Diet ●● Life cycle

The Egyptian Tortoise ) Testudo kleinmanni(

●From Libya to Israel● It is near-endemic in Egypt (Libyan range is poorly known)● Limited to very small habitats: further disruption could cause extinction

The normal distribution of the Egyptian Tortoise

Egyptian Tortoises are very appreciated in the International pet trade

Tortoises in Egypt can be divided into three groupsTortoises in Egypt can be divided into three groups::

●● Egyptian species for ExportEgyptian species for Export

●● Egyptian species for Local MarketsEgyptian species for Local Markets

●● Exotic species Imported into EgyptExotic species Imported into Egypt Boxes of live tortoises await international shipment.

●● Threats

Direct Indirect

●● It is vulnerable to two major threats

●● Pet trade●● Habitat destruction including:

Land reclamation Grazing

●● The species could be considered "technically extinct" in Egypt, since very few individuals are remaining scattered.

Tortoise distribution process inside Egypt

Local hunters harvest the tortoises from the wild

Consumption markets

Pet Markets

Tortoise pet traders in Egypt

International pet marketsEgypt pet markets

Local collectors

Middle men

Tortoiseshell on sale to tourists

Traditional beliefs about tortoises vary considerably from one locality to another

●● The Egyptian Tortoise and the Bedouin

●● The Egyptian Tortoise and tourists

The current status of the Egyptian TortoiseThe current status of the Egyptian Tortoise

● ●Critically endangered

●● Conservation status: Cites appendix Conservation status: Cites appendix I

-●● Egyptian law bans the sale, purchase and transporting of the species without permits

-●● Penalties for violation

●● But how far are these laws implemented?

Conservation actions

Efforts at its conservation are being taken to ensure a sustainable Efforts at its conservation are being taken to ensure a sustainable future for the Egyptian Tortoise in the wild in its natural habitats byfuture for the Egyptian Tortoise in the wild in its natural habitats by::

Stop illegal collection and trade in the Egyptian Tortoise Inform and educate the public

Survey the Libyan range of the Egyptian Tortoise

Give national priority to the conservation of the Egyptian Tortoise

Promoting networking and cooperation between the different bodies Promoting networking and cooperation between the different bodies working for and concerned about the continued survival of the working for and concerned about the continued survival of the speciesspecies

Building capacity in all aspects of tortoise careBuilding capacity in all aspects of tortoise care

Adopt ex-situ conservation measures

Target Protected Areas as a focal point for in-situ conservation (Zaranik (Zaranik & Omayed)& Omayed) Rediscovery of wild Egyptian tortoises in North Sinai, at which time was Rediscovery of wild Egyptian tortoises in North Sinai, at which time was thought to be extinctthought to be extinct ; ;

Setting-up sustainable captive breeding programs (It is extremely Setting-up sustainable captive breeding programs (It is extremely difficult to breed, captive breeding has been exceptionally difficult to breed, captive breeding has been exceptionally infrequent.)infrequent.)

Protected areas can play important role in protecting the habitats of the Protected areas can play important role in protecting the habitats of the Egyptian TortoiseEgyptian Tortoise . .

Two protected areas fall within the natural range of the Egyptian tortoise: El Omayed and Zaranik.

●A tortoise breeding center has been established in Omayed Protected Area.

● ●A tortoise reserve has been A tortoise reserve has been recently established in Zaranik recently established in Zaranik Protected AreaProtected Area

Wild animals should not be petsThe Egyptian Tortoise has become an endangered species due to illegal sales and purchase and environment destructionDespite its name, it is almost extinct in Egypt.It is hoped that the commercial exploitation of this species will soon cease or it and many other endangered animals and plants will disappear for ever

Enjoy our featured “Egyptian Sahloof”

clay animation.