A sting operation sparked by a listing on Facebook Marketplace has led to the rescue of 14 leopard tortoises, exposing the scale of illegal wildlife trade in South Africa.
The reptiles, a protected species, were allegedly being sold for R1 500 each. Concerned members of the public alerted authorities, prompting a joint operation involving the South African Police Service Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and the Limpopo Pangolin Collective.
An undercover agent posed as a buyer and travelled more than 300 kilometres to meet the seller. Upon arrival, the agent discovered 14 tortoises crammed into a bucket in the back of a vehicle. Police were then signalled and moved in to arrest the suspect and secure the animals.
The tortoises were transported to the Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, where they were treated for dehydration, stress and severe weight loss. According to the centre, more than half of the animals were underweight, and all showed signs of exhaustion from the ordeal.
Wildlife experts say the illegal trade is often driven by demand for exotic pets, with many animals kept in unsuitable conditions and given improper diets. Leopard tortoises, which are native to southern Africa, typically feed on natural vegetation and can live for decades in the wild.
Following treatment, ten of the tortoises have already been released back into their natural habitat, while the remaining four continue to recover and are expected to be released soon.
Conservationists warn that illegal wildlife trafficking remains a growing threat, urging the public to report suspicious activity and to avoid purchasing wild animals as pets.
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