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Eric the Elongated Tortoise Rescued

A few days ago a large male elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongate) was brought into the WFFT Wildlife Hospital after being found in a garden within a heavily population urban area close to WFFT.
 
The elongated tortoise is listed as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it is under extreme pressure across most of its range, largely due to it being widely harvested and sold on the Asian food markets. Disregard for international conservation laws is apparent, with the trade in tortoises brisk, highly developed, and probably ignored by many border guards, customs officials, and airline personnel. Like many other tortoise species, the elongated tortoise is also sold as part of the pet trade. It is also threatened by the habitat destruction, fragmentation and loss, that accompanies human commercial and residential expansion. This species has undergone severe population declines.
 
Recommended conservation measures include greater enforcement of wildlife protection laws, conservation breeding and monitored releases of tortoises, and continued research.
 
We have named him Eric, he seems in good health. The pink pigmentation on his noise is normal, during the breeding season this is seen in males. He has joined others of his species in a large open enclosure here at the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre.

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