Critically Endangered Tortoise Hatches at San Diego Zoo
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- Created on Friday, 22 June 2012 18:40
- Written by Imperial Valley News
San Diego, California - The San Diego Zoo is pleased to announce the successful hatching of a Madagascar spider tortoise. The San Diego Zoo is home to two males and two females of this species; the sex of the newly hatched tortoise is not yet known.
The San Diego Zoo has been working with this species since 1998 in hopes of creating a genetically viable and sustainable group . The Zoo is also working closely with the Turtle Survival Alliance to support tortoise conservation in Madagascar.
The number of Madagascar spider tortoises, like most animals native to Madagascar, is in drastic decline due to deforestation and the illegal pet trade. This species has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature since 2008