Turtles Seized in Senegal

by Heather Lowe 

A group of 12 turtles were seized in late May at the airport of Dakar LLS and assigned to the TSA Africa team by the CITES authorities of Senegal. The group was comprised of four African softshell turtles (Trionyx tringuis), four Home's hinge-back tortoises (Kinixys homeana), two Serrated hinge-back tortoises (Kinixys erosa) and two West African mud turtles (Pelusios castaneus). 

The turtles came from Nigeria bound for Europe, and didn't have the proper health papers required for transit. The TSA Africa team would like to thank the Senegalese CITES authorities (Captain Abba Sonko) for their cooperation.

The turtles cannot be returned to the wild, as their origin is unknown. Instead they will contribute to the conservation of their species as part of captive assurance colonies currently being managed by TSA Africa.