A horrifying discovery has just been made in Madagascar.
Critically endangered radiated tortoises were found alive inside suitcases after being confiscated from wildlife traffickers.
Each terrified animal had its legs forced into its shell and its body tightly wrapped in packaging tape so it could not move. Then they were crammed into luggage and prepared for transport across borders — treated like cargo instead of living, feeling creatures.
This is the brutal reality of the illegal wildlife trade.
From the moment a critically endangered radiated tortoise is stolen from the wild, its suffering begins – and may continue for up to a CENTURY.
Confiscated from wildlife traffickers in Madagascar, these critically endangered radiated tortoises were found bound with tape and crammed into suitcases, still alive. Source: TSA
Radiated tortoises are among the world’s most beautiful tortoises, known for the dazzling yellow star patterns on their shells.
But their beauty has become a curse.
Stolen from Madagascar’s forests to be sold as exotic “pets,” these gentle animals are condemned to unimaginable suffering.
They can live for more than 100 years. That means a tortoise stolen from the wild today could endure a century of captivity, neglect and misery.
Barely alive when rescued.
When rescued by our long-time partner, Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), many tortoises are barely alive — emaciated, dehydrated, starving and traumatized.
Some do not survive the ordeal. Others are only alive because help reached them in time.
Since January alone, TSA has confiscated 1,038 radiated tortoises from traffickers across Madagascar — every one of them stolen from the wild — including the ones found in the suitcases.
Found with broken shells, open wounds and bodies ravaged by starvation, these radiated tortoises were stolen from Madagascar’s forests for the illegal pet trade. Source: TSA
Our partner urgently needs to relocate 1,000 tortoises to their larger rehabilitation center – a challenging journey of roughly 620 miles (1,000km) to the south of the island.
With nearly 19,000 rescued tortoises already in its care, TSA urgently needs help relocating 1,000 vulnerable tortoises from its headquarters in Antananarivo to a larger rehabilitation center in the Androy region. This area is perfect for these shelled creatures to thrive, thanks to the unique formation of its arid forest ecosystem.
Without enough space, overcrowding creates extreme stress, disease outbreaks, injuries and even death.
You can help save 1,000 lives.
After rescue, each tortoise is carefully cleaned, rehydrated, fed and treated for injuries and illness. Slowly, they regain their strength and get a second chance at life.
If we can raise $3,700 (£2,760), we can help transport 1,000 rescued tortoises safely to the rehabilitation center in the Androy region and provide a YEAR of food, treatment and care for them.
Will you help save these critically endangered animals?
Every survivor matters.
Each rescued tortoise is cleaned, rehydrated and treated — given a second chance at life. But space is running out and these tortoises need your help today. Source: TSA
Radiated tortoise populations have crashed by 80% in the last 30 years because of poaching and habitat destruction.
Every tortoise that survives is a victory against wildlife traffickers — and a chance for this species to survive.
Please donate as generously as you can today. Without urgent support, more tortoises could be lost forever.
