Smuggling the Stars: Illegal Trade of the Indian Star Tortoise

On May 1, PfA Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre faced the grim reality of illegal wildlife trade yet again. We responded to a call from a bus conductor and rescued 218 Indian Star tortoises, which were all tightly packed into three small bags. They were all juveniles, ranging between just a week old to 4 to 5 years old. Unfortunately, one of them had already succumbed to the horrendous conditions in which these tortoises were being transported.

 

The demand for the Indian Star Tortoise in the exotic pet market is fueled largely, but not entirely by the superstitions that surround the animal. Some believe that the star tortoise can fix the “Vaastu” of a house or simply bring good luck to the house it’s kept in. Others, allured by the beautiful patterns of the shell,  simply want to keep them as pets. 

You might be wondering “But why shouldn’t they be kept as pets?”. Other than the fact that it’s illegal, there are various reasons why keeping them as pets is harmful. Let’s explore them in this article. 

Conservation Status:

Identified by its distinct yellow star-like patterns, the Indian Star Tortoise holds a Schedule I status under India's Wildlife Protection Act (1972). The categorization as Schedule I entails that offenders are punishable with imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years or with a fine that may extend to one lakh or both. Despite being afforded protection since 1972, it has repeatedly proven to be insufficient. Among the myriad of reasons for this insufficiency, some are outlined below: 

Communities and individuals who snatch these tortoises from the wild often do not know that this animal is offered the highest protection under national and international law. Limited public awareness coupled with lax repercussions has led to the rampant illegal trafficking of the Indian Star Tortoise over the last two decades. Moreover, the tortoise's habitat in South Asia, especially in western and southeastern India, southeastern Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, is also rapidly declining due to urbanization, exacerbating their population decline.

Source: The Hindu

The earliest archaeological evidence of pet tortoises dates back to the late 19th century, roughly 100 years ago. However, compared to the millennia-long history of animal domestication, which began around 10,000 years ago, this timeframe seems relatively recent. This raises the question: Could Indian Star Tortoises truly thrive as pets, or is this notion merely wishful thinking? The alleged medicinal and magical claims of the Indian Star Tortoise lack scientific evidence and should not serve as a basis for considering this animal as a pet. While most people are introduced to tortoises through fables like 'The Tortoise and the Hare' or a visit to the zoo, it is essential to recognize that the reality of caring for tortoises is far more complex than depicted in such narratives. Despite the existence of numerous online pet care guides, which may convince you that you are capable of caring for them, it is not as straightforward as it seems.

Smuggling is cruel to animals, both in the commission of the act and throughout the process. In the process of the trafficking of tortoises, they are stuffed in confined spaces in large numbers with their limbs tied together and no exposure to sunlight. Before we delve further into this, it is essential to know that the shell of a tortoise (carapace) is sensitive to pain and has nerve endings. The rounded shape of the Indian Star Tortoise’s shell is specially adapted to help it onto its limbs if it were to flip over, a general occurrence in its natural habitat. The lungs of a tortoise are just beneath its shell. If the tortoise were to flip over and be unable to right itself, the weight of all the organs would fall on the lungs leading to suffocation and eventually, death. Indian Star Tortoises, like other Testudines (reptiles with shells - tortoises, turtles, terrapins, etc), are vulnerable to respiratory diseases and need sunlight to absorb calcium and avoid conditions like Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), which results in softened and deformed shells and bones. Improper diet, lack of exercise, and an unhygienic environment could exacerbate these conditions and potentially lead to Pyramiding (abnormal upward growth of scutes, which are bony scales on the carapace that look like plates) or even Shell Rot (a microbial infection that affects the carapace). 

Star Tortoise Conservation at PfA Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre:

Our rehabilitation strategy mimics the tortoise’s natural habitat and provides the necessary supplements to make up for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. We provide a diet rich in grasses, leaves, and flowers, along with calcium and multivitamin supplements to help strengthen the shell. 

Under our consistent care, pyramiding generally reduces within six months, depending on the severity of the condition. Extremely fractured shells are treated surgically with plates and screws that hold the shell together. Recovery from a complete shell fracture could take up to nearly 18 months. The tortoise undergoes thorough examination and is fit for release after analyzing its overall health along with various parameters like the uniformity and thickness of the shell, its ability to forage and eat by itself, and fecal consistency. Once deemed fit, they are released into their native habitat, ensuring minimal disturbance and optimal chances of survival.

Smuggling Networks - Exploiting a Loophole:

Countries like India, Indonesia, and Thailand have laws that protect native species but are lenient concerning exotic species. It is this legal gap that smuggling rings exploit. A majority of Indian Star Tortoises for sale today, typically juveniles, are illegally trafficked wild individuals snatched from their native habitats. Fake certificates claiming they are captive-bred facilitate their smuggling into countries where they are not native and not protected by local laws, like Indonesia and Thailand, where they are sold with minimal repercussions.

Source: The Hindu

Moreover, smuggling juveniles is particularly dangerous for wild populations because the deaths of existing reproducing adults could lead to a crash in the wild Indian Star Tortoise population, potentially escalating their status from vulnerable to endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While India has globally stood for the protection of this tortoise, enforcement of the same level is lacking at the local level. Strict enforcement of laws is imperative. Furthermore, countries that have not passed laws to protect exotic species must enforce more comprehensive laws. A study found that the ramifications of the illegal Star Tortoise trade have extended beyond just affecting its populations. This trade is utilized as a cover to trade in rarer species like Madagascar’s radiated tortoise and plowshare tortoise, both categorized as critically endangered. 

In conclusion, demand is the primary incentive for supply, consequently driving the declining trend of the wild Indian Star Tortoise population. The tortoise has stood for slow and steady wins a race, but in the race to protect the Indian Star Tortoise, it is necessary to be the hare (without taking a nap halfway through the race). We must address the root causes of their decline: demand for exotic pets, and the illegal trade quenching it, and implement effective measures to ensure their survival.

Written by: Musunuru Vennela