African spurred tortoise

The African spurred tortoise, also known as the “Sulcata”, is native to the Sahel and Sudanese regions of Africa. In the wild, they are avid diggers and will retreat into deep burrows (up to 15m) for rest, protection and thermoregulation. Due to their #Endangered status, the international trade in Sulcatas is tightly regulated.
Hong Kong imported over 119,000 Sulcatas, accounting for 60% of global imports from 2015-2021. Although many are captive-bred, breeding operations in some regions have been linked to the exploitation of wild populations.
Sulcatas are the third largest tortoise in the world and impressively long-lived. Many are sold as small, "cute" hatchlings that rapidly grow and become difficult to accommodate in Hong Kong flats.
We urge everyone to learn about the potential dangers of owning exotic pets, concerning their needs and suitability. We also urge the government to tighten pet trade regulations, establish a list of allowed exotic pets for trade, and protect wildlife. Learn more wwf.hk/exoticpettrade_en