The Cape of Good Hope SPCA released 174 tortoises back into the wild.
South Africa is home to 14 species of tortoises, more than any other country in the world. The Western Cape in particular has 4 species that are relatively abundant in the region.
These 4 species of tortoises are the angulate tortoise, the most adaptable but also protected under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974; the leopard tortoise, the world’s largest tortoise with an extremely long life span. Padlopers are the world’s smallest tortoises, and then there are the tent tortoises.
Having a tortoise as a pet has increased in popularity, but is also the reason why the SPCA came to have 174 in just 7 months.
On average, the SPCA receives 19 tortoises a month. They are either surrendered to them or confiscated.
To release the shelled creatures, the SPCA first needed each tortoise to be given a suitable release site by CapeNature. They then needed to ‘get the relevant permits in order (to transport and release tortoises). They ensured the health of each tortoise and carefully transported them to their new homes.
The SPCA said that ‘some of the older tortoises had been in captivity for most of their lives, but upon realising that they were going back in the environment they were born into, immediately seemed to smile. Upon their release, some settled down right away to munch on tasty fynbos while others ran off just as fast as their short little legs could carry them to begin their new lives back in nature.’
They asked that the public do not subject these wild creatures to captivity, as wild-living populations face an uncertain future.
Pictures: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
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