Ecuadorean Gov't Probes Tortoise Trafficking From Galapagos

[Judi Lynn]

Rescued and repatriated giant tortoises from the Galapagos Islands in quarantine at
the Galapagos Airforce Base. Feb. 4, 2019 | Photo: @Ambiente_Ec
Published 5 February 2019

The 26 endangered tortoises from the Galapagos National Park were returned last June after being located in Peru. An investigation of trafficking rare fauna is still open.



Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment released a statement Monday updating the condition of the 26 Galapagos Island tortoises repatriated from Peru last June after they had been sold and trafficked into the neighboring country.

The Minister of Environment Marcelo Mata Guerrero visited the quarantine center on the Galapagos Islands National Park. Park director Jorge Carrion told Guerrero during the minister’s visit that of the 26 tortoises under observation, 18 pertain to the Isabela Island species and eight from San Cristobal.

The reptiles were seized during a road stop in April 2017 in Peru. At that time 29 of the endangered animals were found wrapped up in a cardboard box. Two had died in transit and one more died of natural causes later while in Peruvian custody.

. . .

The Galapagos Park has eleven known species of giant tortoises that live throughout the various islands of the archipelago located about 1,000km off of Ecuador’s coast.

More:
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Ecuadorean-Govt-Probes-Tortoise-Trafficking-From-Galapagos-20190205-0010.html

Environment and energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127123547