Black spotted turtle trade in Asia II: a seizure analysis
Asia’s illegal trade in the Black Spotted Turtle is spiralling out of control. A new TRAFFIC study shows over 10,000 individuals have been seized in two years, eclipsing numbers recorded in a previous six-year study. The attractive turtle, once wanted for its meat, is now an increasingly popular pet and favoured among wildlife smugglers with many turtles observed for sale in Asian markets or in online trade. Black Spotted Turtle Trade in Asia II: A seizure analysis revealed that at least 10,321 live Black Spotted Turtles Geoclemys hamiltonii were confiscated in 53 seizures between April 2014 and March 2016.