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Critically endangered ploughshare tortoises returned to Madagascar

21^st October 2010

Four Critically Endangered ploughshare tortoises have been returned home following the seizure of an illegal shipment of animals by the Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur. Repatriations are rare and this is an important achievement for the conservation of the species.

A shipment of extremely rare and threatened Malagasy tortoises has been returned to Madagascar from Malaysia. Four hundred radiated tortoises, eleven spider tortoises and four ploughshare tortoises were seized in May and July this year at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women travelling with the suitcases containing the animals were arrested and have since been convicted of smuggling offences.

All Madagascar’s tortoises are under great threat from illegal trafficking and so being able to return these animals is a great success. These animals have now returned to Madagascar, and the four ploughshares will be given to Durrell’s Madagascar Programme. The radiated and spider tortoises are being taken by Bernard Devaux to the SOPTOM (Station d'Observation et de Protection des Tortues et de leurs Milieux) facility in Madagascar. Once the animals have been given a healthcheck and have spent time in quarantine they will be able to join Durrell’s captive breeding programme and have a positive role in the conservation of the species.

Richard Lewis, Director of Durrell’s Madagascar Programme said, “This is a really important event. Not only have we been able to recover this animal, it is a powerful signal from the Malaysian Government that they will not stand for the illegal shipment of threatened species through their borders. Most of the illegal trade in wildlife from Madagascar is routed through South East Asian countries and we hope that this is a precedent that can be followed by other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to show that there is no future to illegally stripping Madagascar of its natural heritage for profit.”

In May 2009 four almost fully grown ploughshares were stolen from a Durrell’s release programme for the species. One was found in a shipment of tortoises seized at Antananarivo Airport later that year and a second was seen for sale on a Malaysian website. However on 11th October this year, two suitcases were seized at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. On opening them the police found 217 radiated tortoises and one medium sized ploughshare. We are working with local authorities to determine whether this is one of the stolen animals. 

We will continue to work with TRAFFIC and national authorities in Madagascar and South East Asia to halt the illegal trade in these species.
 

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