Implications for Conservation of Collection of Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoise as Pets in Morocco: Residents’ Perceptions, Habits, and Knowledge

Abstract

The trading and collection of wild animals as pets may be cause for concern regarding animal welfare and species conservation. These concerns can be exemplified by Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), a long-living species whose use as pets is long established. The human dimension plays a major role in the wildlife for the pet collection, and is particularly important in countries like Morocco, where this might pose a threat to the conservation of the species involved. This study, which is based on a questionnaire survey (n = 480 participants), documents the fact that many people in Morocco keep tortoises as pets: 55% of the participants in the survey and over two tortoises/person. Importantly, most captive tortoises, particularly juveniles, had been collected directly from wild populations by their owners (42%, n = 264). In general, the tortoise owners had limited knowledge of their tortoises’ habits and requirements, although rural people were more likely to acknowledge that the tortoise is a wild and threatened species. Our study reveals that non-commercial collection is a common activity in Morocco that may threaten wild tortoise populations and hence species conservation, and it could have consequences regarding the welfare of the animals. We were also able to identify the profile of people towards whom education campaigns should be directed in order to reduce the number of tortoises collected from wild populations. Additional field research should also be conducted to quantify the impact of pet collection on wild tortoise populations.

Snakes and Souks: Zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles in the Marrakech markets, Morocco

“…Overall, the 118 reptile specimens examined fairly represent the typical Moroccan herpetofauna associated to the practices of traditional medicine, magic, and snake charming [ 5 ]. As observed in previous studies, Mediterranean chameleons and spur-thighed tortoises are heavily commercialized in the markets, being captured in large numbers from the wild [ 39 , 40 ], whereas Moroccan worm lizards are rarely seen in this context [ 6 ]. Indeed, previous studies showed that one of the major threats for wild populations of chameleons and tortoises is the non-commercial collection, which seems a common activity in Morocco [ 40 ].…”

Keeping reptiles as pets in Brazil: keepers’ motivations and husbandry practices

“…Nonetheless, for reptiles kept in captivity as pets, the need for stimulating and changing environments is often underestimated [ 38 ]. Except for some chelonians kept free roaming in gardens, keeping pet reptiles confined in closed enclosures is a common practice all over the world [ 19 , 39 ]. This is often justified by the necessity of meeting specific temperature, humidity, and UV lighting requirements, as reptiles are ectothermic, relying on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperatures [ 20 ].…”

Diversity of microorganisms in Hyalomma aegyptium collected from spur‐thighed tortoise ( Testudo graeca ) in North Africa and Anatolia

“…We also encourage public health authorities to reinforce surveillance and control within the commercial pet trade. Additionally, non‐commercial trade is particularly relevant in this species (Segura et al., 2020), and educational campaigns are also needed to change the perception of locals toward tortoises, not as pets but as threatened wildlife species with zoonotic potential.…”

“…Third, H. aegyptium has high specificity towards Testudo tortoises during its adult stage (Siroký et al., 2006). Finally, T. graeca is one of the preferred tortoises in the commercial pet trade (Türkozan et al., 2008), and furthermore, they are frequently collected from the wild directly into households, increasing the risk of transmission of tick‐borne diseases to humans and other domestic animals (Nijman & Bergin, 2017; Segura et al., 2020). Because H. aegyptium carries multiple bacteria and protozoan species pathogenic to humans, wildlife and domestic animals (Kar et al., 2020; Kumar et al., 2020; Paștiu et al., 2012; Široký et al., 2014), and adults and nymphs of this species have been reported to bite humans (Vatansever et al., 2008), TBM screening in this system will provide relevant information for public health.…”