Radiated Tortoise Tortellini? A pet tortoise named Fido? If
ether of these thoughts appeals to you, we know who to come
after. Illegal trade of Madagascar’s radiated tortoise – both
for pets and for food – are to blame for the endangered status
of this precious reptile. Found along a narrow section of
Madagascar’s southern coast, the radiated tortoise (Geochelone
radiata) is among the largest and most beautiful of the world’s
tortoises. Natural herbivores, their diet consists mostly of
grass and pasturage, with fruits and succulent plants thrown in
as a delicacy. If you think whales are only under threat by the
Japanese and the Norwegians, you might be surprised to learn
that we Americans are on the animals’ most feared list as well.
How, you ask? Ships. Off the Georgia coast, “slow-moving,
endangered whales” crawl along their migratory route. The
trouble is, Charleston Harbor falls in the middle of that route
and it harbors of a lot shipping interest. So, the ships just
need to steer clear, right? Well, yes.