Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Pérez Ibarra, I., Giménez Casalduero, A., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Anadón, J. D., Martínez, M., & Esteve, M. A. (2004). Non-commercial collection of spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca graeca): a cultural problem in southeast spain. Biological Conservation, 118(2), 175–181.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:37:21 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (16 Apr 2011 15:36:37 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2003.07.019 BibTeX citation key: Perez2004 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Südwesteuropa = South-Western Europe, Testudinidae, Testudo, Testudo graeca Creators: Anadón, Esteve, Giménez Casalduero, Martínez, Pérez Ibarra, Sánchez-Zapata Collection: Biological Conservation |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Testudo graeca Collecting tortoises for the pet trade is one of the factors threatening species of Testudo in the Mediterranean area. The collection of Testudo graeca graeca for pets is described in southeast Spain, where the main European population of this subspecies coincides with an area where keeping tortoises in captivity is a long-established custom. This present paper, based on inquiries made to children, reveals that this practice continues to be a common activity, and estimates a captive population in the order of tens of thousand of tortoises. Tortoises are collected as a result of chance encounters with wild animals by local inhabitants, and without any commercial objectives. The captive breeding and the release of tortoises without any institutional control is also common. These activities could be an important threat for the species. Implications for conservation are discussed and a critical review of the conservation strategies developed in relation to this threat (trade control and re-introduction programmes) are presented. We suggest that environmental education programmes are necessary to reduce casual collection and to change the social perception of tortoises as pets. Added by: Admin Last edited by: Beate Pfau |