Radiated Tortoise

RARER AND RARER
In 2018, wildlife officials in Madagascar raided a house that had over 10,000 illegally harvested radiated tortoises living in deplorable conditions with no food or water sources. This was just one poaching bust out of many that occur year after year, as demands for this species as a pet has not slowed down. This species is considered critically endangered by the IUCN.

The radiated tortoise is named for the radiating patterns of yellow and brown/black on their shell.

This species has a very high-domed carapace (upper shell). Endemic to southern Madagascar, radiated tortoises are extremely vulnerable to habitat loss. As suitable habitat continues to be converted to other uses, such as charcoal production, this tortoise will continue to decline. This species is also highly desirable as a pet and food source, and it is estimated that 45,000 are harvested every year. Additionally, tortoises are long lived, slow maturing species. For this reason, removing adults from the wild greatly impacts the growth of the population.