17 December 2015
Yesterday, two female radiated tortoises moved to Chester Zoo.
The radiated tortoise is a beautiful tortoise with a very characteristic shell that gives it its name, and it is also one of the most endangered species. It is captured and
they are killed for their beautiful shells, but primarily because they are eaten, being considered a luxury food. Among other things, it is said to be an aphrodisiac and to promote one's love life. In addition, a widespread pet trade has also contributed to the drastic decline of the species.
Wildlife trade is one of the biggest threats to many species, with billions of pounds being traded each year. It was precisely this trade that affected the group of radiated tortoises that have now moved from Parken Zoo in the autumn to new homes in various zoos. The two females moving today are the last of the group that came to Parken Zoo in 2013, after being confiscated by customs in Hong Kong the same year. All these tortoises are currently part of the European breeding programme for the conservation of the species, which is coordinated by Linn Lagerström, based at Parken Zoo. A group of radiated tortoises, also part of the breeding programme, remains at the zoo.
For each species or subspecies included in a European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) or a Species Breeding Programme (ESB), there is a coordinator. A coordinator is responsible for collecting information on all individuals included in the programme, documenting it, carrying out genetic and demographic analyses, and planning for the future management of the species. It is also the coordinator who provides recommendations on which individuals should be included in breeding and which individuals should be moved between different parks. More information on this can be found here.