Tortoise mafia ... in the News

justmeandmytortoise · 28-06-2011, 08:08 AM

Madagascar's poachers, known in conservation circles as "the tortoise mafia", are increasingly hunting down the Indian Ocean island's reptiles, threatening them with extinction.

The tortoise mafia, who allegedly include corrupt government officials and smuggling syndicates, are satisfying a growing demand locally for tortoise meat and abroad for exotic pets and tortoise shells used in aphrodisiacs.

"Everybody is eating them and everybody is trafficking them and as soon as people are brought to trial, there are mafia organisations who help to get them out," says the head of Madagascar's Alliance of Conservation Groups, Ndranto Razakamanarina.

Another conservationist, Tsilavo Rafeliarisoa, says two poachers were caught last year in southern Madagascar with 50 tortoises.

This was a small breakthrough in efforts to protect the endangered tortoises.

Often, poachers roam villages in groups of up to 100, picking up thousands of tortoises over several weeks.

Herilala Randriamahazo of Madagascar's Turtle Survival Alliance says he recently went on a research trip to Tsiombe and Beloka, posing as a tourist to see how common tortoise meat has become on restaurant menus.

To his horror, a bowl of tortoise meat, stewed in tomatoes, garlic and onion, was sold for a mere $2.50 (£1.50).

It was served to him in less than 30 minutes.

The full report can be read here ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13799205

RacingSnake · 28-06-2011, 10:01 AM

Was just about to post up this link.
This is absolutely shocking

Madagascar is on my list of places to visit, I'll smuggle some back for us to look after

Eremiel · 28-06-2011, 01:03 PM

I saw this on the news this morning to i was in shock £1.50!!!! It makes me sick that a life can be taken without thought for less than a Starbucks

MiShelley · 28-06-2011, 01:27 PM

Omg that's terrible!

Easter Bunny · 28-06-2011, 06:10 PM

Aww, poor tortoises. What a horrible shockit must be for them when they're caught

TortBabe · 30-06-2011, 10:36 AM

Very sad

Kirkie · 29-07-2011, 09:10 PM

http://www.turtlesurvival.org/blog/1...-in-madagascar

A small victory...

mrscross78 · 29-07-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkie

http://www.turtlesurvival.org/blog/1...-in-madagascar

A small victory...

Oh that is good news... Poor little tortoises though

... I do hope those smugglers get severely punished.

Kirkie · 29-07-2011, 10:23 PM

See the size of the tortoises? Not much use to the food trade, they were destined for the far eastern pet market. Bear that in mind next time one of the forums far eastern members posts some pic's of their new radiated with talk of their "long journey" into captivity. Less ooooh, more aaaarrrrgh.

These tortoises arent just stolen from the wild, there have been break ins at the breeding centreS trying to raise a population to reintroduce these species back into the wild.

28-06-2011, 08:08 AM	#1
justmeandmytortoise Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 2,682	Tortoise mafia ... in the News Madagascar's poachers, known in conservation circles as "the tortoise mafia", are increasingly hunting down the Indian Ocean island's reptiles, threatening them with extinction. The tortoise mafia, who allegedly include corrupt government officials and smuggling syndicates, are satisfying a growing demand locally for tortoise meat and abroad for exotic pets and tortoise shells used in aphrodisiacs. "Everybody is eating them and everybody is trafficking them and as soon as people are brought to trial, there are mafia organisations who help to get them out," says the head of Madagascar's Alliance of Conservation Groups, Ndranto Razakamanarina. Another conservationist, Tsilavo Rafeliarisoa, says two poachers were caught last year in southern Madagascar with 50 tortoises. This was a small breakthrough in efforts to protect the endangered tortoises. Often, poachers roam villages in groups of up to 100, picking up thousands of tortoises over several weeks. Herilala Randriamahazo of Madagascar's Turtle Survival Alliance says he recently went on a research trip to Tsiombe and Beloka, posing as a tourist to see how common tortoise meat has become on restaurant menus. To his horror, a bowl of tortoise meat, stewed in tomatoes, garlic and onion, was sold for a mere $2.50 (£1.50). It was served to him in less than 30 minutes. The full report can be read here ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13799205 __________________ www.justmeandmytortoise.webs.com Tortoise, Terrapin and Turtle group covering Kent and London

28-06-2011, 01:03 PM	#3
Eremiel Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 301	I saw this on the news this morning to i was in shock £1.50!!!! It makes me sick that a life can be taken without thought for less than a Starbucks __________________ 1:1:0 Testudo Agrionemys horsfieldii. 0:1:0 Pain in the bum Cat.

28-06-2011, 06:10 PM	#5
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	Aww, poor tortoises. What a horrible shockit must be for them when they're caught __________________ Lynne x

30-06-2011, 10:36 AM	#6
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Very sad __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

28-06-2011, 10:01 AM	#2
RacingSnake Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Reading Posts: 582	Was just about to post up this link. This is absolutely shocking Madagascar is on my list of places to visit, I'll smuggle some back for us to look after

28-06-2011, 01:27 PM	#4
MiShelley Member Hatchling Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lancaster, UK Posts: 647	Omg that's terrible!

29-07-2011, 09:10 PM	#7
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	http://www.turtlesurvival.org/blog/1...-in-madagascar A small victory...

29-07-2011, 10:23 PM	#9
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	See the size of the tortoises? Not much use to the food trade, they were destined for the far eastern pet market. Bear that in mind next time one of the forums far eastern members posts some pic's of their new radiated with talk of their "long journey" into captivity. Less ooooh, more aaaarrrrgh. These tortoises arent just stolen from the wild, there have been break ins at the breeding centreS trying to raise a population to reintroduce these species back into the wild.

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