Tattooing Tortoises

[zooboy28]

In an Asia-first, Singapore Zoo, in association with TRAFFIC, Durrell and others, are going to tattoo the shells of two Ploughshare Tortoises next week, so that they don't wind up in the illegal wildlife trade. Didn't actually know Singapore had Ploughshares (I've never seen them), but sounds like a great opportunity for Singapore locals to learn more.

For event details see here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1381760142075909/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

Wildlife Reserves Singapore, in collaboration with TRAFFIC, Turtle Conservancy and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust cordially invites you to TATTOO THE TORTOISE.

This event shall see the shells of two Ploughshare Tortoises being engraved with identification marks to keep them out of the illegal trade, the first ever to be done in Asia. The public forum will have experts discussing the present plight of the Ploughshare Tortoise and the measures being taken to save the species from extinction. Fun activities shall also be held throughout to entertain the young at heart.

Date: 16 December 2013 (Monday)
Time: 2pm - 6pm
Venue: Forest Lodge, Singapore Zoo

*Normal park admission applies.

*Note there is the chance of a thunderstorm on this day*

Is this done with Ploughshares elsewhere (Madagascar, Europe, America)? Or indeed with other tortoise species?

 

[Chlidonias]

I can't see how tattooing the shell is going to stop them entering the illegal trade. All it means is that they will be identifiable if they are seen by officials, and can therefore be proven to be stolen from the zoo.

All the privately held ploughshare tortoises outside Madagascar are illegal anyway!!