Pet trade in Egypt

1. Pet trade in Egypt

2. 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

3. The five species in the genus Tesudo: ● Testudo graeca Linnaeus, 1758 (Greek Tortoise, Spur-Thighed Tortoise) ● Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 (Herman’s Tortoise) ● Testudo horsfieldii Gray, 1844 (Russian Tortoise, Horsfield’s Tortoise) ● Testudo marginata Schoepff, 1792 (Marginated Tortoise) ● Testudo kleinmanni Lortet, 1883 (Egyptian Tortoise) MEDITERRANEAN TORTOISE SPECIES

4. The Egyptian Tortoise ( Testudo kleinmanni) ● Alternative name● Description● Habitat● Diet● Life cycle (L) 4 YEAR-OLD FEMALE; (C) 5 YEAR-OLD MALE; (R) 6 MONTH OLD HATCHLINGS

5. ● 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

6. Egyptian Tortoises are very appreciated in the International pet tradeTortoises in Egypt can be divided into three groups: ● Egyptian species for Export ● Egyptian species for Local Markets ● Exotic species Imported into Egypt Boxes of live tortoises await international shipment.

7. ●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.

8. Tortoise distribution process inside Egypt Consumption markets Local hunters harvest the tortoises from the wild Pet Markets Local collectors Tortoise pet traders in Egypt Middle men Egypt pet markets International pet markets

9. Traditional beliefs about tortoises vary considerably from one locality to another ● The Egyptian Tortoise and the Bedouin ● The Egyptian Tortoise and tourists Tortoiseshell on sale to tourists

10. The current status of the Egyptian Tortoise • ● Critically endangered • ● 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?

11. Conservation actions Efforts at its conservation are being taken to ensure a sustainable future 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 working for and concerned about the continued survival of the species Building capacity in all aspects of tortoise care Adopt ex-situ conservation measures Target Protected Areas as a focal point for in-situ conservation (Zaranik & Omayed) Rediscovery of wild Egyptian tortoises in North Sinai, at which time was thought to be extinct; Setting-up sustainable captive breeding programs (It is extremely difficult to breed, captive breeding has been exceptionally infrequent.)

12. Protected areas can play important role in protecting the habitats of the Egyptian 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 recently established in Zaranik Protected Area

13. Wild animals should not be pets The Egyptian Tortoise has become an endangered species due to illegal sales and purchase and environment destruction Despite 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.