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Posted: 23rd December 2013

Tattoo project aims to save endangered tortoise
Conservationists engrave tortoise shells to combat trafficking

In a bid to protect one of the world's most endangered tortoise species, wildlife organisations have come up with a novel way to reduce its value on the black market.

Conservationists have taken the drastic measure of "tattooing" two ploughshare tortoises at Singapore Zoo. Identification codes were engraved on the animals' shells to make them less desirable to traffickers, at the same time making them easier for enforcement agencies to trace.

It is estimated that just 400 adult ploughshare tortoises remain in the wild, having been devastated by illegal collection and export.

Prized for its high-domed shell, the ploughshare is critically endangered and has been pushed further to the brink of extinction by demand for unique, exotic pets. This is reported to be particularly true in south east Asia, where the tortoises are sold at markets in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

In order to help raise awareness of these issues, a "Tattoo the Tortoise" event was held at Singapore Zoo this month. Four organisations - Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, TRAFFIC and Turtle Conservancy - joined forces to host the event.

Singapore Zoo is currently home to two ploughshare tortoises, which were confiscated in 2009 by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority. The top shells of both tortoises were engraved during the event.



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