Return to World Chelonian Trust Main Page for more Turtle and Tortoise Information
Turtle and tortoise species not photographed or not seen in the markets
Amyda cartilagenea - Asiatic softshell turtle
60 RMB ($7 US) per Kg
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia : Jawa, Kalimantan, ?Sulawesi, Sumatera, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia : Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Viet NamFair numbers available in the various markets. Animals mostly in the midsize range
Batagur baska - Batagur
Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia : Sumatera, Malaysia : Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, ? Singapore, Thailand (ex), Viet Nam (ex) (ex) = extinct within that countryCITES I
This species has not been seen in about the last six months by market surveyors.
Chelonia mydas - Green sea turtle
extensive natural range
CITES I
Roughly 1000 RMB ($250 US) per animal. There were five animals in the market a few weeks before this photodocumentary.
Cuora trifasciata - Chinese three striped box turtle
4000 RMB ($500 US) for a 4 inch specimen
China, Hong Kong, ? Lao People's Democratic Republic, ? Myanmar, Viet NamCITES II
|
The highly prized and beautiful Golden Coin Turtle (non-market photo at left) has become something of a symbol for those addressing the Animal markets of China. While not openly available in the market, one vendor said she occasionally gets this extremely expensive species in. Valued for it's medicinal anticancer properties, it is in very high demand and thus commands a premium price. Illegal trapping in Hong Kong parks for this species is common.
|
Other Cuora spp.
CITES II
Questioning regarding such species as C. mccordi, C. pani, C. zhoui, and C. aurocapitata resulted in multiple responses saying they had not seen these species in a long time in the Qing Ping markets. They may be pulled for sale elsewhere such as Hong Kong before they reach these markets. A few pani and aurocapitata were available in the pet stores in Hong Kong..
Indotestudo forsteni - Forsten's tortoise
India, Indonesia : SulawesiCITES II
This species is very, very seldom seen in the markets.
Kachuga spp.
Very, very few specimens are rarely found in the various markets with Kachuga smithii being the most common. It appears India is doing a pretty solid job of monitoring it's borders.
Cambodia, Indonesia : Jawa, Kalimantan, Sumatera, ? Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia : Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet NamSiebenrockiella crassicollis - Black marsh turtle
30 RMB ($4 US) per kilogram
This species is available by the hundreds to thousands in the Guangzhou Qing Ping medicinal markets. No pictures were taken though.
World Chelonian Trust
www.chelonia.org
PO Box 1445
Vacaville, CA
95696