Two years after the record seizures of more than 15,000 tortoises that were entrusted to SOPTOM and the Malagasy association ASE (Association for the Safeguarding of the Environment), the Malagasy authorities seized 144 radiated tortoises more in a pirogue.
Endemic to Southern Madagascar, Astrochelys radiata, or radiated tortoise of Madagascar, is considered as “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List. Deforestation and illegal wildlife trafficking to Asia are the main causes of the disappearance of the species.
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