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<p>Illegal trade in leopard tortoises <i>Stigmochelys pardalis</i> is widespread, yet the origins of confiscated <i>S. pardalis</i> are often unknown. Accurate assignment to source populations is essential for informed conservation management and release. We expanded and tested a genetic reference database for assigning <i>S. pardalis</i> to their original wild populations in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, and Eswatini. We added 50 newly genotyped wild <i>S. pardalis</i> sampled across these regions to the database and then evaluated the updated database by sampling and assessing 50 <i>S. pardalis</i> of unknown geographic origin held at a rehabilitation centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Genetic assignment indicated that only a single <i>S. pardalis</i> at the rehabilitation-centre may have originated from KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the extent of illegal trade, translocation, and possession of <i>S. pardalis</i>. Individuals of verified regional origin were subsequently rehabilitated and translocated for soft release at appropriate sites.</p>

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Back Home: first successful geographical assignment of rehabilitated leopard tortoises Stigmochelys pardalis using a conservation genetic database

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月21日

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  • Adrian J. Armstrong,
  • Anna S. Kropff,
  • Antoinette Kotze,
  • Wade Whitehead,
  • Elishia Goosen,
  • Flora Ihlow,
  • Ara Monadjem,
  • Sara Padidar,
  • Melita Vamberger

摘要

Illegal trade in leopard tortoises Stigmochelys pardalis is widespread, yet the origins of confiscated S. pardalis are often unknown. Accurate assignment to source populations is essential for informed conservation management and release. We expanded and tested a genetic reference database for assigning S. pardalis to their original wild populations in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, and Eswatini. We added 50 newly genotyped wild S. pardalis sampled across these regions to the database and then evaluated the updated database by sampling and assessing 50 S. pardalis of unknown geographic origin held at a rehabilitation centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Genetic assignment indicated that only a single S. pardalis at the rehabilitation-centre may have originated from KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the extent of illegal trade, translocation, and possession of S. pardalis. Individuals of verified regional origin were subsequently rehabilitated and translocated for soft release at appropriate sites.