Are Sulcata Tortoise's Endangered?

Question

I had a e-mail from a friend saying that sulcata tortoises are now listed as " Endangered" , what will happen to the ones i have? do i need to get a special permit or certificate? and where do i get it? and is this true?

Answer 1

I haven't heard anything about Sulcata Tortoises being listed as endangered and I can't say whether it's true or not. Sulcata tortoises are one of the most popular large tortoises and are being bread across the globe, they might be endangered in the wild but not in captivity. You don't need to worry about yours and you won't need to get any special permits.

Answer 2

Their numbers are declining in the wild and the populations are very fragmented throughout several African countries. Animal species endemic to Africa are almost always under some type of threat.

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species currently has them  listed on appendix II but with a zero export quota (none can be taken from the wild for  commercial export). Cites permits are only required if you intend to move the tortoise across a border.

Their dwindling numbers in the wild are in contrast to their situation in the U.S.  A number of Tortoise rescue organizations recently called for a ban on their sale in order to stem the large number of unwanted sulcatas that end up in rescue facilities.

http://tortoise.com/news/press_release_g...