News & Events

Historic Repatriation of 912 Critically Endangered Tortoises Seized in Thailand

For Immediate Release

Turtle Survival Alliance Announces Historic Repatriation of 912 Critically Endangered Tortoises Seized in Thailand

December 13, 2024

CONTACT: Jordan Gray, Turtle Survival Alliance, (912) 659-0978, [email protected]

• Turtle Survival Alliance, in collaboration with Malagasy and Thai authorities, successfully repatriated 912 critically endangered tortoises to Madagascar, marking a pivotal victory against global wildlife trafficking.
• This operation dismantled a transnational trafficking network, uniting Malagasy and Thai authorities, conservation organizations, and international partners in a shared effort to combat biodiversity loss.
• Turtle Survival Alliance will carry out the rehabilitation of the tortoises with the goal of rewilding them to their natural habitat. This process will be guided by Turtle Survival Alliance’s science-based reintroduction practices to ensure the tortoises’ survival and successful integration into protected ecosystems.

Antananarivo, Madagascar – Turtle Survival Alliance is proud to announce the successful repatriation of 912 endangered tortoises to Madagascar, following their seizure in a landmark international wildlife trafficking case. Among the returned tortoises are 757 Spider Tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides) and 155 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata), both listed under CITES Appendix I and classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This operation, a collaborative effort between Malagasy and Thai authorities with the support of international organizations, is a pivotal achievement, underscoring the urgent need to combat wildlife crime and restore Madagascar’s unique natural heritage.

Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President & CEO of Turtle Survival Alliance, emphasized the significance of the operation, stating, “The return of these tortoises to Madagascar represents a powerful victory in the global fight against wildlife trafficking. It demonstrates what is possible when nations and organizations come together with a shared commitment to safeguarding the natural heritage of our planet. Turtle Survival Alliance is honored to play a role in ensuring these animals are not only rescued from the black market trade but also given the opportunity to return to their native habitat.”

The 912 repatriated tortoises were part of a record-breaking seizure of 1,117 turtles and 48 lemurs in Chumphon, Thailand, in May of this year, in what has been called the “Game Over” case. The operation led to the dismantling of a transnational trafficking network, with six arrests in Thailand and nine in Madagascar, and highlighted the role of corruption and organized crime in the exploitation of Madagascar’s biodiversity. This landmark case reflects the Malagasy government’s zero-tolerance policy on wildlife trafficking and its commitment to recovering its nation’s natural wealth seized abroad. 

“The return of these animals to their native habitats is a significant step in ensuring the survival of these critically endangered tortoises,” said Andrew Walde, Senior Director of Conservation and Science, Turtle Survival Alliance. “It is a reminder of the immense challenges we face in combating wildlife trafficking, but also of the power of partnerships and science-based conservation to make a tangible difference.”

Following their arrival in Madagascar, the tortoises have been placed under the Turtle Survival Alliance’s care in a specialized quarantine facility, built specifically to address the uniqueness of this confiscation, in the capital city of Antananarivo, where they will undergo comprehensive health assessments. By the end of 2024, all Radiated Tortoises will be transferred to the Berenty Private Reserve in the Anosy Region, a protected habitat that already hosts tortoises from a similar confiscation and return case from Comoros in September of this year. The Spider Tortoises will be relocated to the Eden Botanical Garden, a private reserve in the Atsimo-Andrefana Region, where plans are underway for their eventual release back into the wild. Turtle Survival Alliance will continue to support these facilities to ensure the survival and integration of these species in their native ecosystems.

Hery Razafimamonjiraibe, Country Director, Turtle Survival Alliance Madagascar, added, “These animals’ journey from victims of illegal trade from our country to ambassadors for conservation highlights the importance of protecting species at every stage—from enforcement to rehabilitation to rewilding. As we prepare these tortoises for their next chapter, we remain focused on creating sustainable solutions for species recovery and combating the root causes of wildlife trafficking.”

The Radiated Tortoise, once one of the world’s most abundant tortoise species, and the Spider Tortoise, have faced rapid population declines due to poaching for the pet, food, and bushmeat trades, habitat destruction, and the erosion of cultural taboos that traditionally protected them, with estimated population declines greater than 75%. With more than 50% of the world’s turtle and tortoise species threatened with extinction, the return of these individuals to their native habitat marks a critical step in the fight against biodiversity loss.

The success of this operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing the complex nature of wildlife crime. From dismantling trafficking networks to ensuring the safe return and rehabilitation of seized wildlife, this effort involved a coalition of governments, law enforcement agencies, and conservation organizations, including INTERPOL, UNODC, and CITES. Turtle Survival Alliance commends the Malagasy and Thai authorities for their leadership in this case, as well as the support provided by United for Wildlife, La Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Biodiversité de Madagascar, and the airline carriers Qatar Airways and Airlink for facilitating the safe transport of these animals.

This historic repatriation highlights Madagascar’s determination to safeguard its exceptional biodiversity, which represents 5% of the planet’s species and includes some of the world’s most iconic, endemic, and imperiled wildlife. Turtle Survival Alliance is dedicated to its mission of protecting turtles and tortoises from extinction in Madagascar and 16 other countries. This is achieved through a comprehensive approach that includes species- and country-specific conservation initiatives, along with numerous management practices aimed at improving the long-term survival of these ancient animals.

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Help Turtle Survival Alliance repatriate and rewild tortoises and other threatened turtle species. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help us provide the care these magnificent creatures need until they can return to their wild homes and to support others like them. Give a gift for turtles and tortoises today.

About Turtle Survival Alliance

Formed in 2001 and gaining nonprofit status in 2004, Turtle Survival Alliance is a global conservation organization that works to create a planet where tortoises and freshwater turtles can thrive in the wild. Our science-based initiatives are directed by local leaders, inspiring sustainable, community-based stewardship to prevent extinctions. Where populations cannot yet thrive in the wild, our conservation breeding programs preserve opportunities for their future survival. Turtle Survival Alliance currently supports collaborative conservation initiatives in 17 countries. For more information, visit us on our website and join the conversation and learning experience on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Header image: All 155 Radiated Tortoises from the confiscation are weighed, assessed, and labeled when they are taken into our care. These are a set of images for one tortoise.