India and Pakistan come together to rescue Geochelone elegans
Keeping aside their political differences, India and Pakistan have joined hands to save the rare Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans), which is widely trafficked for use as exotic pets— because of the pattern of light radiating lines on their shells— in international market.
The two neighbouring countries at the upcoming 18th Conference of the Parties of the Convention against International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), scheduled from May 23, have demanded the transfer of the tortoise from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I, which accords a species the highest level of protection.
In their efforts, they are joined by Sri-Lanka which is also battling to protect this endemic species. The listing of a species in CITES Appendix I effectively prevents all commercial international trade, while those listed in Appendix II can be traded under special permit conditions and only if the trade does not cause harm to them in the wild.
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Turtle News From Around the World
Blog
Olive Ridley Project:- Turtle Patient Update Issue 5
Ecology
Dermochelys coriacea nest found and protected on St Augustine Beach
Education
Australia:- Little John the Giant Tortoise moves home (Video)
Health & Medical
Turkey:- Loggerhead turtle found dead on Marmara coast
Miscellany
USA:- Sea Turtle Preservation Society hatches the ‘Turtle Nest’ at Port Canaveral
Up and coming events
USA:- 21 & Over Beach Clean Up – Monday April 22, 2019
USA:- The Adventures of Thelma the Tortoise, talk – April 22 and 29
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Photo from Pandiyan – flickr.
