Fined for importing protected tortoises

Two Libyan men were yesterday fined Lm250 each for importing two tortoises of a protected species into Malta illegally.

Jamal Ali Age Zoubi, 23, and Fath Alla Mohammed, 21, pleaded guilty to importing the two tortoises, of the Egyptian species Testudo kleinmanni, by transporting them in a plastic bag inside a luggage.

They also admitted failing to declare them on their arrival at the airport on Wednesday.

Letters to prosecute by the Customs authorities and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority were exhibited before Magistrate Miriam Hayman who presided over the case.

After hearing the defendant's guilty plea the magistrate fined them Lm250 each and ordered that the tortoises be sent to a laboratory in England for breeding after being tested for possible disease.

The combination of its small size and beautiful golden colour makes Testudo kleinmanni a much sought after addition to tortoise collections, according to an article on the World Chelonian Trust website, written by Chris Tabaka and Darrell Senneke.

The article also explains that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists Testudo kleinmanni as an Appendix I species, affording it the highest possible protection.

The Egyptian tortoise is also listed as endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List, which is the second highest designation.