Restraints of Exotic Species

Slide 1: Pet trade in Egypt

Slide 2:The interest in keeping exotic animals as pets is growing rapidlyA large international market has developed for these animals This illegal trade, poses an obvious threat to the survival of species in the wildAnimals suffer during capture and transport

The number of "exotic" animal species kept as pets has dramatically increased in recent years, so much so it is now perhaps the fastest growing sector in the pet market Some are captured from their native habitat and smuggled in or legally imported An exotic pet is a rare or unusual creature kept as a pet Exotic pets are sometimes for the express purpose of having a pet which is unique Every year, thousands of animals enter the exotic pet trade. Many are sold at auctions, pet stores, or over the Internet to supply the pet industry Smugglers often illegally slip rare animals in amongst lots of others that are legally allowed to be traded Wildlife trade (legal or otherwise) can have a deleterious effect on species, habitats and ecosystems and is often seen as unsustainable in yield Animals are shipped around the world to sell in pet shops The exotic pet trade is embroiled in considerable animal cruelty with regards to the methods of capture, transportation and the conditions in which they may be kept at holding centers or on arrival at their final destination Those animals who arrive alive are often subject to inadequate care The importation of exotic pet species can constitute a disease risk to native species as well as to humans. Many potentially serious zoonotic diseases are carried by or can infect species commonly traded and kept as pets The potential for animal escape or abandonment can have a potentially disastrous effect on native wildlife and ecosystems The number of "exotic" animal species kept as pets has dramatically increased in recent years, so much so it is now perhaps the fastest growing sector in the pet market Some are captured from their native habitat and smuggled in or legally imported An exotic pet is a rare or unusual creature kept as a pet Exotic pets are sometimes for the express purpose of having a pet which is unique Every year, thousands of animals enter the exotic pet trade. Many are sold at auctions, pet stores, or over the Internet to supply the pet industry Smugglers often illegally slip rare animals in amongst lots of others that are legally allowed to be traded Wildlife trade (legal or otherwise) can have a deleterious effect on species, habitats and ecosystems and is often seen as unsustainable in yield Animals are shipped around the world to sell in pet shops The exotic pet trade is embroiled in considerable animal cruelty with regards to the methods of capture, transportation and the conditions in which they may be kept at holding centers or on arrival at their final destination Those animals who arrive alive are often subject to inadequate care The importation of exotic pet species can constitute a disease risk to native species as well as to humans. Many potentially serious zoonotic diseases are carried by or can infect species commonly traded and kept as pets The potential for animal escape or abandonment can have a potentially disastrous effect on native wildlife and ecosystems

Slide 3:

The five species in the genus Tesudo: ? Testudo graeca Linnaeus, 1758 (Greek Tortoise, Spur-Thighed Tortoise) ? Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 (Herman�s Tortoise) ? Testudo horsfieldii Gray, 1844 (Russian Tortoise, Horsfield�s Tortoise) ? Testudo marginata Schoepff, 1792 (Marginated Tortoise) ? Testudo kleinmanni Lortet, 1883 (Egyptian Tortoise) MEDITERRANEAN TORTOISE SPECIES ? Herman�s Tortoise Found in temperate regions Southern Europe Size average is 20 cm Herbivore ? The Spur-Thighed Tortoise Very similar to Herman�s Tortoise ? Horsfield�s Tortoise Found in deserts Central Asia Size average 35 cm Herbivore ? The Marginated Tortoise Found in temperate regions Southern Europe Average size 35 cm Herbivore ? The Egyptian Tortoise As following ? Herman�s Tortoise Found in temperate regions Southern Europe Size average is 20 cm Herbivore ? The Spur-Thighed Tortoise Very similar to Herman�s Tortoise ? Horsfield�s Tortoise Found in deserts Central Asia Size average 35 cm Herbivore ? The Marginated Tortoise Found in temperate regions Southern Europe Average size 35 cm Herbivore ? The Egyptian Tortoise As following

Slide 4:    ? Alternative name ? Description ? Habitat ? Diet ? Life cycle

The Egyptian Tortoise ( Testudo kleinmanni) ? Also called Egyptian Dwarf Tortoise ? The smallest tortoise inhabiting the northern hemisphere and of the five Mediterranean species belonging to the genus Testudo Males grow to 4-inches and females grow to 5-inches ? It is a desert animal found in both arid sandy and fairly rocky habitats Its light yellow to greenish colour blends in with the local soil colour ? It feeds on rough grasses, desert plants and fruit ? Egyptian Tortoises mate during the early spring when the weather becomes warmer The female lays up to 7 eggs in a shallow depression in the sand under a bush or in a burrow that she made it herself The eggs hatch during the summer or early autumn The young mature in five years, growing to a length of 10-15 cm However mortality rate reaches 99% ? Also called Egyptian Dwarf Tortoise ? The smallest tortoise inhabiting the northern hemisphere and of the five Mediterranean species belonging to the genus Testudo Males grow to 4-inches and females grow to 5-inches ? It is a desert animal found in both arid sandy and fairly rocky habitats Its light yellow to greenish colour blends in with the local soil colour ? It feeds on rough grasses, desert plants and fruit ? Egyptian Tortoises mate during the early spring when the weather becomes warmer The female lays up to 7 eggs in a shallow depression in the sand under a bush or in a burrow that she made it herself The eggs hatch during the summer or early autumn The young mature in five years, growing to a length of 10-15 cm However mortality rate reaches 99%

Slide 5: ? From Libya to Israel? It is near-endemic in Egypt (Libyan range is poorly known)? Limited to very small habitats: further disruption could cause extinction 

The normal distribution of the Egyptian Tortoise ? The Egyptian Tortoise is found in Mediterranean Basin from Eastern Libya and western Negev in Israel It extends as far as 12 km inland at some localitiesThese desert regions under the influence of the Mediterranean see, give rise to a rich plant and animal life and are considered to be a "Biodiversity Hotspot" in Egypt ? Egypt is the most important range state for the Egyptian Tortoise since most of the species' range is within the country, hence it's name Egyptian tortoise It was formerly widespread in the northern deserts of Egypt, where it was first discovered and described ? Today, it is nearly extinct in the wild in Egypt and declining elsewhere in its range so that it has been extirpated from most regions ? The Egyptian Tortoise is found in Mediterranean Basin from Eastern Libya and western Negev in Israel It extends as far as 12 km inland at some localitiesThese desert regions under the influence of the Mediterranean see, give rise to a rich plant and animal life and are considered to be a "Biodiversity Hotspot" in Egypt ? Egypt is the most important range state for the Egyptian Tortoise since most of the species' range is within the country, hence it's name Egyptian tortoise It was formerly widespread in the northern deserts of Egypt, where it was first discovered and described ? Today, it is nearly extinct in the wild in Egypt and declining elsewhere in its range so that it has been extirpated from most regions

Slide 6:Egyptian Tortoises are very appreciated in the International pet tradeTortoises in Egypt can be divided into three groups:

? Egyptian species for Export ? Egyptian species for Local Markets ? Exotic species Imported into Egypt Boxes of live tortoises await international shipment. ? No Control at the Airport ,tortoises exported from Egypt Airport are not checked at Quarantine and are not identified due to the lack of knowledge Because of this no one knows which species and in what numbers are being exported All tortoises exported from Egypt to supply the consumption markets is illegal ? All tortoise species in the local markets is illegal A number of smuggled tortoises have been reported in different pet market at Tunsi, formerly Sayyida Aisha (the largest of its kind in Egypt) Although protected in Egypt, the tortoises are sold openly in Cairo pet shops ? The spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) are brought into Egypt (and sold) along with the Egyptian Tortoise from Libya, all without any import permits They are collected from Libya since the borders between Egypt and Libya have opened ? No Control at the Airport ,tortoises exported from Egypt Airport are not checked at Quarantine and are not identified due to the lack of knowledge Because of this no one knows which species and in what numbers are being exported All tortoises exported from Egypt to supply the consumption markets is illegal ? All tortoise species in the local markets is illegal A number of smuggled tortoises have been reported in different pet market at Tunsi, formerly Sayyida Aisha (the largest of its kind in Egypt) Although protected in Egypt, the tortoises are sold openly in Cairo pet shops ? The spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) are brought into Egypt (and sold) along with the Egyptian Tortoise from Libya, all without any import permits They are collected from Libya since the borders between Egypt and Libya have opened

Slide 7:? Threats occur under two major categories, direct and indirect, although they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. - Direct threats are those that affect the survival or reproduction of tortoises (e.g., road mortality, illegal collecting, disease, predation) - Indirect threats affect tortoise populations through their effect on other factors, primarily habitat (e.g., drought, habitat alterations from livestock grazing, recreational activities, global warming, etc.) ? Egyptian Tortoise threats It�is heading towards extinction in the wild due to over collection for the intensive exotic pet trade and the destruction of its natural habitats ? Pet trade: People are collecting and trading them as pets It is a popular tortoise in the pet trade because their small size under conditions of the high demand for exotic pets for people with limited space or people who want to keep the tortoise in a vivarium for all of it�s life However it is difficult to keep a tortoise in captivity and therefore has a high incidence of mortality Many of the Egyptian Tortoises collected from the wild with other reptiles die or get sick or injured during transport and in trade Egyptian Tortoises are collected from their habitats then taken to local markets after many individuals had died ? Habitat destruction: The destruction of T. kleinmanni habitats is caused mainly by: Land reclamation (industrial development) Grazing (agricultural development) Urban expansion and tourism development Overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture and tourism threaten their existence and their natural habitat in the coatal deserts of Egypt, Eastern Libya and Israel�s Western Negev is being destroyed Habitat destruction can maximize the effect of the commercial trade on the Egyptian Tortoise They are very ancient animals and haven't changed much over the years, which makes them more susceptible to problems Their numbers have declined severely in the last 30 years, a thorough survey in Egypt in 1994 had failed to locate any wild tortoises at all ? Threats occur under two major categories, direct and indirect, although they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. - Direct threats are those that affect the survival or reproduction of tortoises (e.g., road mortality, illegal collecting, disease, predation) - Indirect threats affect tortoise populations through their effect on other factors, primarily habitat (e.g., drought, habitat alterations from livestock grazing, recreational activities, global warming, etc.) ? Egyptian Tortoise threats It�is heading towards extinction in the wild due to over collection for the intensive exotic pet trade and the destruction of its natural habitats ? Pet trade: People are collecting and trading them as pets It is a popular tortoise in the pet trade because their small size under conditions of the high demand for exotic pets for people with limited space or people who want to keep the tortoise in a vivarium for all of it�s life However it is difficult to keep a tortoise in captivity and therefore has a high incidence of mortality Many of the Egyptian Tortoises collected from the wild with other reptiles die or get sick or injured during transport and in trade Egyptian Tortoises are collected from their habitats then taken to local markets after many individuals had died ? Habitat destruction: The destruction of T. kleinmanni habitats is caused mainly by: Land reclamation (industrial development) Grazing (agricultural development) Urban expansion and tourism development Overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture and tourism threaten their existence and their natural habitat in the coatal deserts of Egypt, Eastern Libya and Israel�s Western Negev is being destroyed Habitat destruction can maximize the effect of the commercial trade on the Egyptian Tortoise They are very ancient animals and haven't changed much over the years, which makes them more susceptible to problems Their numbers have declined severely in the last 30 years, a thorough survey in Egypt in 1994 had failed to locate any wild tortoises at all

Slide 8:

Tortoise distribution process inside Egypt Local hunters harvest the tortoises from the wild Consumption markets Pet Markets Tortoise pet traders in Egypt International pet markets Egypt pet markets Local collectors Middle men Commercial wildlife collectors and traders usually depend on a network of local middlemen, who collect various species of reptiles and mammals Middlemen buy any wildlife brought to them by other locals Herders are the most likely to encounter and collect wildlife. Indeed, herders are responsible for collecting the great majority of Egyptian Tortoises Herders are very familiar with wildlife behavior, habitats and most importantly tracks. The economic importance of wildlife collection is small, but herders (who are usually very poor) welcome the opportunity of making some extra money The Egyptian Tortoise is highly prized by collectors and sold in the local markets as petsCommercial wildlife collectors and traders usually depend on a network of local middlemen, who collect various species of reptiles and mammals Middlemen buy any wildlife brought to them by other locals Herders are the most likely to encounter and collect wildlife. Indeed, herders are responsible for collecting the great majority of Egyptian Tortoises Herders are very familiar with wildlife behavior, habitats and most importantly tracks. The economic importance of wildlife collection is small, but herders (who are usually very poor) welcome the opportunity of making some extra money The Egyptian Tortoise is highly prized by collectors and sold in the local markets as pets

Slide 9:

Tortoiseshell on sale to tourists Traditional beliefs about tortoises vary considerably from one locality to another ? The Egyptian Tortoise and the Bedouin ? The Egyptian Tortoise and tourists ? Bedouin use the Egyptian Tortoise as an ingredient in local fertility medicines They also keep them as pets as they are thought to bring good luck ? In some countries, tortoises are still captured and killed to make souvenirs for tourists, such as "tortoise banjos" from Morocco? Bedouin use the Egyptian Tortoise as an ingredient in local fertility medicines They also keep them as pets as they are thought to bring good luck ? In some countries, tortoises are still captured and killed to make souvenirs for tourists, such as "tortoise banjos" from Morocco

Slide 10:? The Egyptian tortoise is listed as "Endangered" by the 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened animals It is the most globally critically endangered land tortoise in the Mediterranean region ? Also under Appendix I of the CITES Convention, which prohibits international trade in the species except for scientific purposes ? It is protected by Egyptian legislation, both Law 53/1966 for Agriculture and Law 4/1994 for the Environment ? Penalties for violating the provisions of Article 28 of the Environmental Law are decided to be punished and the machines and the equipment used in the violation will be confiscated ? However, Implementation of these regulations is still lagging, and even if including CITES I protection, tortoises are smuggled without any import permits . ? The Egyptian tortoise is listed as "Endangered" by the 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened animals It is the most globally critically endangered land tortoise in the Mediterranean region ? Also under Appendix I of the CITES Convention, which prohibits international trade in the species except for scientific purposes ? It is protected by Egyptian legislation, both Law 53/1966 for Agriculture and Law 4/1994 for the Environment ? Penalties for violating the provisions of Article 28 of the Environmental Law are decided to be punished and the machines and the equipment used in the violation will be confiscated ? However, Implementation of these regulations is still lagging, and even if including CITES I protection, tortoises are smuggled without any import permits .

Slide 11:Conservation actions

Efforts at its conservation are being taken to ensure a sustainable future for the Egyptian Tortoise in the wild in its natural habitats by: Stop illegal collection and trade in the Egyptian Tortoise Inform and educate the public  Survey the Libyan range of the Egyptian Tortoise Give national priority to the conservation of the Egyptian Tortoise Promoting networking and cooperation between the different bodies working for and concerned about the continued survival of the species Building capacity in all aspects of tortoise care Adopt ex-situ conservation measures Target Protected Areas as a focal point for in-situ conservation (Zaranik & Omayed) Rediscovery of wild Egyptian tortoises in North Sinai, at which time was thought to be extinct; Setting-up sustainable captive breeding programs (It is extremely difficult to breed, captive breeding has been exceptionally infrequent.)

Slide 12:Protected areas have been established, preserving important areas for biodiversity, including some of the habitats for tortoises. El Omayed Biosphere Reserve - In Matrouh Governorate, on the North western coast of Egypt - Desert area and vital peripheral - Declared in 1986 - 700 km2 - Consists of five main habitat types (Coastal calcareous dunes, inland ridges with skeletal shallow soils, saline marshy depressions, non-saline depressions, the inland plateau. - A rich assemblage of fauna and flora in Egypt - Situated on migrating bird�s flyway The Zaranik Protected Area- In North Sinai governorate - Wetland Site of International Importance - Declared in 1985 - 250 km2 - includes many types of habitat; sea inlet, benthic sea grasses, saltmarshes, sand sheets, mud flats, sand dunes, lake islands, coastal plain - bird reserve, Zaranik lies on one of the principal paths of migratory birds ? An enclosed area of 80 m2 has been prepared next to the Omayed protectorate�s administrative building. The floor was covered with sand from the protectorate, to provide the tortoise with a natural environment for laying eggs and hibernation Rock from the protectorate was used to build shelters, as well as a wall encircling the center. Plants from the protectorate were planted in the center for food ? Zaranik Protectorate in north Sinai was chosen as the ideal location to set up the enclosure and pilot rehabilitation programme as it was part of the tortoise's natural habitat. The aim is to protect the Egyptian Tortoise from collection for trade and other purposes. Care is needed over the question of the second species, T. werneri Some tortoises have been released into the wild and others are in enclosures.Protected areas have been established, preserving important areas for biodiversity, including some of the habitats for tortoises. El Omayed Biosphere Reserve - In Matrouh Governorate, on the North western coast of Egypt - Desert area and vital peripheral - Declared in 1986 - 700 km2 - Consists of five main habitat types (Coastal calcareous dunes, inland ridges with skeletal shallow soils, saline marshy depressions, non-saline depressions, the inland plateau. - A rich assemblage of fauna and flora in Egypt - Situated on migrating bird�s flyway The Zaranik Protected Area- In North Sinai governorate - Wetland Site of International Importance - Declared in 1985 - 250 km2 - includes many types of habitat; sea inlet, benthic sea grasses, saltmarshes, sand sheets, mud flats, sand dunes, lake islands, coastal plain - bird reserve, Zaranik lies on one of the principal paths of migratory birds ? An enclosed area of 80 m2 has been prepared next to the Omayed protectorate�s administrative building. The floor was covered with sand from the protectorate, to provide the tortoise with a natural environment for laying eggs and hibernation Rock from the protectorate was used to build shelters, as well as a wall encircling the center. Plants from the protectorate were planted in the center for food ? Zaranik Protectorate in north Sinai was chosen as the ideal location to set up the enclosure and pilot rehabilitation programme as it was part of the tortoise's natural habitat. The aim is to protect the Egyptian Tortoise from collection for trade and other purposes. Care is needed over the question of the second species, T. werneri Some tortoises have been released into the wild and others are in enclosures.

Slide 13:Wild animals should not be pets The Egyptian Tortoise has become an endangered species due to illegal sales and purchase and environment destruction Despite its name, it is almost extinct in Egypt. It is hoped that the commercial exploitation of this species will soon cease or it and many other endangered animals and plants will disappear for ever Enjoy our featured �Egyptian Sahloof� clay animation.

The special issue that is being discussed here is the ongoing illegal trade of this specific type of tortoise in Egypt which is almost extinct The illegal pet trade threatens the Egyptian Tortoise It is clear that Egyptian Tortoises are sold in the markets as a result of the low levels of awareness of people with its status and shortage in implementation of legislations as wellThe special issue that is being discussed here is the ongoing illegal trade of this specific type of tortoise in Egypt which is almost extinct The illegal pet trade threatens the Egyptian Tortoise It is clear that Egyptian Tortoises are sold in the markets as a result of the low levels of awareness of people with its status and shortage in implementation of legislations as well