Cockfighting has been illegal in Costa Rica for more than a century, but this violent tradition persists underground across the country. To make the birds deadlier, their owners often tie razor-sharp blades to their legs, known as gaffs or cockspurs. Aside from the roosters, which get seriously injured or killed during fights, another species has […]
Tag: tortoises
Vandals Paint Tortoises in Florida
Two gopher tortoises in southwest Florida are recovering after being spray-painted in a troubling act of vandalism. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples reported the incident on November 22, sharing that the tortoises were found with their shells covered in vibrant paint, including hot pink, royal blue, and gold. One tortoise even had paint […]
China’s plans to trace wildlife trade risks inflaming trafficking, critics warn
Chinese authorities are considering changes to wildlife trade regulations that govern the live trade in 18 parrot and reptile species, several of which are gravely threatened by poaching and illegal trade. The proposals involve the implementation of a “special marking system” of ID tags on bird leg rings or microchips inserted in reptiles to enable […]
500 Giant Tortoises Reintroduced to Four Galapagos Islands in 2023
2023 was a banner year for the Galapagos Islands: that wondrous archipelago so famous for its giant tortoises and other endemic species. The long-serving conservation organization the Galapagos Conservancy, also endemic to the islands, recently published its annual report featuring standout figures like over 500 giant tortoises of 5 different species reintroduced to their natural […]
The bodies of seven tortoises worth £70,000 may have been dumped in a remote woodland by smugglers, expert says
Seven tortoises found dead in a remote woodland were worth up to £70,000 and may have been dumped by smugglers, an expert said last night. The Aldabra giant tortoises – classed as vulnerable by conservation groups – were found in Ashclyst Forest near Exeter. Police said enquiries were under way to identify the owners and […]