The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital team gave poached tortoises and terrapins, caught up in the illicit wildlife trade, a fighting chance at a good life after the team intercepted their sale.
Johannesburg, South Africa (12 February 2025) — Rescued tortoises and terrapins are getting the time they need to heal and recover following the unfortunate time the animals spent caught up in the illicit wildlife trade.
Thanks to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital team and the SAPS JHB K9 unit, an incident in which the poached and smuggled animals were treated as goods for sale, was intercepted. The tortoises and terrapins are believed to have been poached near Lesotho, and are now in the care of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.
According to the team, the animals were “crammed into a rucksack together, were all very dehydrated and in various stages of starvation.”
The wildlife healthcare professionals got to work in treating the animals for different injuries like claws that ripped out in attempts to escape. Dehydration was also addressed, with little marsh terrapins like Rusk, named for his dehydrated state, said to be making steady progress in their recovery.
Other victims included leopard tortoises and an older Spekes Hinged tortoise.
“The illicit wildlife trade not only imposes significant costs on South Africa, affecting its economy, biodiversity, security, and international reputation, but is a horrifically cruel crime with animals suffering terribly as a result of this human greed,” shared the team.
As for the accused caught selling the animals, they are expected to appear in court today.
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