Testudo horsfieldii (Afghan Tortoise)

In both 2010 and 2011, T. horsfieldii was selected on the basis of high volume trade in a globally threatened species and an overall increase in trade. EU imports in 2011 consisted exclusively of live individuals traded for commercial purposes (45 919 individuals), the majority ranched (44%) and wild-sourced (39%) and imported directly from Uzbekistan. Live imports increased by 33% in 2011 compared to 2010. A long-standing import suspension for wild specimens of this species from all countries of origin was removed on 30/04/2004. The population of Uzbekistan was reviewed for SRG 45 and 53. The SRG formed a positive opinion for wild specimens from Uzbekistan on 26/09/2006; this was confirmed for wild and ranched specimens on 14/09/2010. The species was selected under the CITES Review of Significant Trade in 2008. At the 25th meeting of the Animals Committee, Uzbekistan was categorised as of Possible Concern and recommendations were made to the country to provide information within 90 days; information was communicated to the Secretariat on 06/12/2011 and this species-country combination was subsequently removed from the process.

2010 Summary for Testudo horsfieldii (Afghan Tortoise)

Criteria met:  High volume (globally threatened), overall increase

Principal trade term to the EU:  live

Principal source:  ranched, wild

Top EU importer:  Italy, United Kingdom

Top Trading Partner:  Uzbekistan

CITES Appendix:  II

IUCN Status:  Vulnerable

EU-reported imports of live Testudo horsfieldii from the three main sources (‘W’, ‘C’, ‘F’ and ‘R’; ‘W’ includes ‘U’), all purposes, 2001-2010.

In 2010, EU imports principally consisted of live animals traded for commercial purposes (34,557 animals), of which 41% were ranched, 34% were wild and 26% were captive-born.

Although T. horsfieldii met the ‘overall increase’ criterion, total live imports remained relatively constant between 2009 and 2010 and decreased the previous year; ranched imports increased by 19% between 2009 and 2010.

In 2010, all ranched and wild-sourced imports originated in Uzbekistan, while the vast majority of captive-born imports originated in Ukraine.

A long-standing import suspension for wild specimens of this species from all countries of origin was removed on 30/04/2004 and trade in wild specimens resumed in 2006. The SRG formed a positive opinion for wild specimens from Uzbekistan on 26/09/2006, which was confirmed on 14/09/2010; a positive opinion was also formed for source ‘F’ and ‘R’ specimens from Uzbekistan with a plastron length of 6-8 cm on 26/03/2001, which was confirmed for ranched specimens (no size limits) on 14/09/2010. The species was selected under the CITES Review of Significant Trade following CoP14 at the 23rd meeting of the Animals Committee; at the 25thmeeting of the Animals Committee, Uzbekistan was categorised as of Possible Concern. Based on information communicated by Uzbekistan to the Secretariat on 06/12/2011, the population of Uzbekistan was removed from the review.