Zoo Knoxville herpetologist going to Madagascar to care for more than 10K confiscated tortoises

Amy McRary
Knoxville

A Zoo Knoxville herpetologist will travel Friday to the African island of Madagascar to help save thousands of critically endangered tortoises in what officials call an unprecedented wildlife trafficking crisis.  

A total of 10,976 critically endangered radiated tortoises were confiscated the night of April 10 after being found in a residence in Toliara, a city on Madagascar's southwest coast. Discovered by local police, the surviving animals now need expert care.

Herpetology lead keeper Stephen Nelson feeds some of the radiated tortoise collection at Zoo Knoxville on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Zoo Knoxville herpetologist Stephen Nelson travels to Madagascar on Friday as one of a team of experts helping the organization Turtle Survival Alliance. Team members will offer medical triage, care and housing of the animals over the next two weeks.

Support local journalism:Subscribe today

More:Zoo Knoxville gibbon Naomi euthanized after sudden, unrecoverable illness

More:This Titanic doesn't sink: 6 things to know about the giant Lego model in Pigeon Forge

Tortoises everywhere without food, water

Some of the 10,976 critically endangered radiated tortoises confiscated from a house on the southwest coast of Madagascar. Officials believe the tortoises were headed for the illegal pet trade. Now they require care from a host of experts.

The tortoises covered the floors of the house in which they were discovered and they had no access to food or water, TSA said in an announcement. It's unknown how long they had survived there. Three days after the tortoises were found, hundreds had died from dehydration and illness, TSA said.

The tortoises were relocated to a 17-acre secure, private wildlife facility for medical assessments and care.

Officials believe that the animals likely were collected for the illegal pet trade. They were possibly going to be shipped to Asia. Experts say the tortoises’ domed shells with striking star patterns make them highly sought after there.

Species is at risk of extinction

Some of the 10,976 critically endangered radiated tortoises confiscated from a house on the southwest coast of Madagascar. Officials believe the tortoises were headed for the illegal pet trade. Now they require care from a host of experts.

If left unchecked, officials said the illegal trafficking of the species will result in its extinction in the wild in 15 to 30 years.

“This is an overwhelming situation the Turtle Survival Alliance is dealing with. Zoo Knoxville is committed to taking action against the illegal wildlife trade that is putting so many species on the verge of extinction. We will be actively involved in supporting the TSA for the duration of this crisis,” said Zoo President and CEO Lisa New.

Zoo Knoxville works to save tortoises

Visitors to Zoo Knoxville would be familiar with the type of tortoises that were confiscated. Knoxville is one of the top zoos in the world in the breeding and care of tortoises native to Madagascar. Radiated tortoises are among the reptiles in the zoo's collection. Fourteen of the tortoises have been hatched at the park. 

This radiated tortoise lives at Zoo Knoxville. The zoo is among the top facilities working to try to save the critically endangered species.

The zoo is part of the Radiated Tortoise Species Survival Plan, a collaborative program between accredited zoos around the world working to save the tortoises from extinction. Michael Ogle, the zoo's herpetology curator, is the coordinator and Nelson the studbook keeper for the tortoises' SSP. 

The Madagascar rescue effort is led by TSA and involves help from some 20 other accredited zoos and aquariums. Among those helping in the effort is the Tennessee Aquarium, which gave a cash donation to TSA, said aquarium spokesman Thom Benson on Thursday.

Zoo officials say members of the public who wish to help the rescue can make tax-deductible donations to the Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation at turtlesurvival.org.  

More:Turtle power: Zoo reptile wears 3-D printed mask after face injury