Leopard tortoise rescued from illegal roadside sale

A leopard tortoise was rescued from an alleged illegal roadside sale in Canelands, north of Durban, on Friday. Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said its officers responded after a member of the public reported a woman attempting to sell the animal. On arrival, officers found the 27-year-old woman, who is from Libode in the Eastern Cape, in possession of the tortoise.

She allegedly told officers she had transported the animal to KwaZulu-Natal by taxi and intended to sell it for R600. The tortoise was discovered submerged in water inside a 25-litre plastic bucket. Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram said the incident highlighted ongoing concerns around the illegal trade in protected wildlife.

“The possession, sale and transportation of indigenous wildlife without the required permits is illegal. This includes moving animals between provinces,” said Balram. He said the tortoise was secured and transported to the Rusa headquarters, where it will be handed over to a wildlife organisation for further care.

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Leopard tortoises are protected under conservation laws in South Africa, and their removal from natural habitats can have serious ecological consequences. According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi), the species is widely distributed across parts of Africa, including South Africa, where it inhabits a range of environments from savannahs and grasslands to semi-arid regions. However, Sanbi warned that relocating these animals can be harmful, as tortoises are known to travel long distances in an attempt to return to their original home.

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