3 Rescued Leopard Tortoises and a Dog Begin Their Road to Recovery

Photo Credit: Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation via Facebook

Three confiscated leopard tortoises and an injured dog have been given a second chance after a concerned citizen’s tip-off helped rescue them from illegal possession in Limpopo.

Limpopo, South Africa (13 July 2026) – Following a tip-off to the Wildlife Crime Information Network’s (WCIN) hotline from a concerned citizen, three leopard tortoises and an injured dog are now in safe hands.

On 19 June, the WCIN received reports about a person who had apparently been keeping leopard tortoises without the necessary permits on a property just outside Mokopane in Limpopo.

WCIN liaised with Mokopane SPCA and forwarded all relevant information, including the location of the property, to them. They responded immediately, and through joint efforts between Mokopane SPCA and officials from LEDET, they managed to locate the property.

“Upon inspection, officials found the three leopard tortoises and an injured dog that required welfare attention,” WCIN said in a post.

“The owner was issued with a fine for the illegal possession of the three leopard tortoises and voluntarily surrendered the tortoises and the dog to the Mokopane SPCA.”

Through cooperation, reporting, enforcement, and responsible wildlife care, these vulnerable animals are now being given the necessary nourishment, medical attention, and the second chance they deserve.

All three tortoises are in the safe care of Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation, where they were found to be thin, had reduced muscle mass, and were light for their shell sizes.

“They showed signs of incorrect feeding and prolonged hard-surface confinement. Early pyramiding was also present, indicating a chronically poor diet, including high protein, low calcium, lack of UVB, and low humidity,” WCIN explained.

The journey of these three tortoises highlights how every wild animal taken from its natural environment carries a hidden story of struggle.

Photo Credit: Wildlife Crime Information Network via Facebook

In light of this rescue, the wildlife network warns that removing tortoises from the wild is not only illegal but deeply harmful to their well-being.

“A wild tortoise does NOT belong in a garden, a cage, or a box because someone believes they are ‘saving’ it. The greatest gift you can give a wild tortoise is to leave it where it belongs: in the wild.”

A tip-off is all it took to save and rewrite these poor animals’ story. WCIN further urges the public not to support the wildlife trade in any form, as buying, keeping, or failing to follow legal procedures causes harm to wildlife and undermines conservation efforts.

If you know of someone selling, transporting, or illegally keeping protected tortoises, report it to the Wildlife Crime Information Network’s hotline at 079 643 9556 or email [email protected]. All information provided will be treated as confidential.

“Evidence and information from the public play a critical role in protecting South Africa’s wildlife. Your information could help save wildlife and stop criminal activity.”