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Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans)
The fading star......

The Indian Star Tortoise is a characteristic species of the Indian sub-continent. It is distinctive and attractive, growing up to around 30cm across the carapace, but it faces a number of threats: it is traded for food, used in traditional medicine (primarily in Asia) and kept as a pet in Asia and North America. In India, it is illegal either to possess or trade the Indian Star Tortoise and the species is also legally protected in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as a species that, while not currently endangered, is at a risk of becoming extinct. Despite this, the Indian Star Tortoise is widely traded.

A study by A Rocha India's Vijay D. Anand and Surendra Varma in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India investigated the complex and secretive way in which this species is taken from the wild and illegally traded. The results reveal a global network whose end result is cruelty to animals and the pushing of a species towards extinction.

Research involved several aspects. Visits were made to enforcement agencies to collect information about past tortoise seizures, details of offenders and prosecutions, and also the status of the seized animals. Rehabilitation centres were also contacted to gather information on Star Tortoises in captivity. Field investigations looked at habitats and the source of the trade. Undercover enquiries were made at markets, pet shops and business establishments to assess their involvement. Web page and literature surveys were carried out to determine the global extent of trade in Indian Star Tortoises. The results allowed mapping of the most common routes through which these tortoises are taken and exported. In the Andhra Pradesh region they are mostly collected by nomadic local forest hunters and then sold through nearby villagers to dealers in major cities such as Bangalore. They are smuggled abroad, often through cruel methods in which most suffer and many die.

Although most tortoises are destined for the Asian market, their high value in the United States (where they can fetch up to $1,000) means that attempts are made to smuggle them there. Although the more effective enforcement of laws in the United States appears to be restricting illegal imports, some smuggling clearly continues. The treatment of tortoises rescued from would-be smugglers seems often to be poorly managed and death rates up to 60% have been reported at one rehabilitation centre.

This study lays the foundations for reducing trade in the Indian Star Tortoise. The identification of collection sites, transit points, smuggling methods and final destinations is an aid to enforcement agencies.


The Fading Star...



The Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans), though commonly seen in zoos has not been taken seriously in the wild. Illegal trading of these Starred Tortoises in India has helped adorn many a home across the globe. Although not yet endangered, rampant trading of these animals could pose a serious threat to their existence.

The Indian Star Tortoise grows to around 280mm along its carapace (bony upper shield of the tortoise), the females being larger than the males. The carapace is striking with a black background, which is accentuated with radiating yellow streaks diverging from a yellow bump called the areola. This gives it a star- like appearance from where it derives its name Star Tortoise. They are omnivores but inclined to be vegetarians. Their diet consists mainly of different kinds of grass, fallen fruits, flowers and occasionally snails. Not much is known about their predators, thus leaving the food chain incomplete. The Indian Star Tortoise is specific to the Indian sub-continent. In the north they are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. In South India they are found in the Chitoor & Madannepalle districts of Andhra Pradesh, Kolar district of Karnataka, Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala. Apart from India they are also seen in Southeastern Pakistan & Sri Lanka.


The number of animals could have reduced in the wild due to their trafficking from India to other parts of the world. Though not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Indian Star Tortoise is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, making trade in the species illegal. In spite of this, these exotic animals are sold as pets to far off places for a whopping $400 to $800 each. They are captured from the wild and transported through different means to the trade market. Some are seized at various junctions and get released into the wild, from where they are captured again for selling. Many of the seized animals are also sent to the zoos. As not much information on the captive management of the species is available, there is a high rate of mortality in the zoos. A Rocha India has completed research on the Indian Star Tortoise for the Wild Life Trust of India, New Delhi, and has published a report on the findings. This report has helped in gaining information on the species particularly their distribution, behavior and management in captivity.



op aanvraag kan ik het rapport waarin de bevindingen van de studie staan beschreven toezenden. Geef een pm met uw email adres en ik stuur het door (pdf-file)

fijn nu in het nederlands  :oops:
agnes

Ik zal voor jou speciaal een vertaling doen toekomen.

Zou wel leuk zijn :gemengd2_9
Lijkt me wel intressant.

dat zo erg gaaf zijn
agnes

kijk even bij de twee nieuwe onderwerpen  :wink:

New wildlife law from March

KUALA LUMPUR: The Indian star tortoise is an endangered species but it can be brought into Malaysia without a permit because there are no laws to prevent this. 

However, that will change in March when the animal is listed as a protected species in the country and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2007 (Flora and Fauna) is enforced. 

“The new law makes our work easier,” said Natural Resources and Environment Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Sazmi Miah at the Second Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network Workshop on Task Force and Working Groups Development here yesterday. 

The penalties under the law would be tough, with a jail term of up to five years or a fine of up to RM100,000. 

The Indian star tortoise is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which allows for trade but is regulated by a permit system. Malaysia is a signatory of CITES. 

However, it is not in the protected species list under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972. 
With the new law, authorities would also be able to take action against illegal traders who smuggle out Malaysia’s wild flora and fauna or bring in such items, or re-export them.   

“The Act deals with transborder cases while domestic cases are charged under the Protection of Wildlife Act,” said Sazmi. 

The International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2007 (Flora and Fauna) was passed in Parliament last month. 

To enforce the law and fight against trafficking of wildlife species, enforcement officers would be stationed at 17 official points of entry in the country, said Sazmi. 

“They will be trained and equipped with the necessary information,” he said, at the two-day workshop which began yesterday.   

“We have been lagging in establishing this law but now we have done it,” he said.   

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/29/nation/20151276&sec=nation

http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/library/useful_resources/An_overview_of_the_freshwate_%20turtle_trade_in_Jakarta_(Report_by_Shepherd_et_al_2007).pdf

Vanaf volgende maand dus betere vooruitzichten voor de sterschildpadden in Maleisie  szaqw
Hopelijk gaat het gepaard met een degelijke controle, 5jaar gevangenisstraf is niet min, zal velen afschrikken  tjrezf

Dat is goed nieuws:)

 szaqw

idd goed nieuws

Het betreft hier de dieren die van Zuid-oost india naar maleisië worden gesmokkeld. Er is daar nu geen regelgeving.
Ik hoop dat het in Europa ook gebeurt