Pancake tortoise  (Malacochersus tornieri)

The greatest threats facing the pancake tortoise are habitat destruction and over-harvesting for trade. The peculiar appearance and behaviour of this species has heightened its appeal for both zoological and private collections, leading to its over-exploitation (8). Given the low reproductive rate of this tortoise, populations that have been harvested may take a long time to recover. Suitable habitat for pancake tortoises is not common or extensive when found, and habitat destruction is exacerbating the problem (7). Populations in Kenya are threatened by clearance of thorn scrub for conversion to agriculture and, in Tanzania, over-grazing by goats and cattle may be having a negative impact on this tortoise (8).

In 1981, Kenya banned the export of the pancake tortoise unless given written permission by the Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources. Tanzania protects this species under the Wildlife Conservation (National Game) Order, 1974 (8), and it is protected within the Serengeti National Park (5). CITES quotas also limit the number of these animals that can be exported from Tanzania, although violations of these quotas are thought to occur. The European Union banned the import of the pancake tortoise in 1988, but trade with EU members continues, with several countries having reported importing the species (8). The pancake tortoise has been bred in captivity and is now the subject of a coordinated breeding programme in European Zoos (9). However, there are no commercial breeding operations to supply the market demand, meaning that this unusual and unique tortoise continues to edge ever closer to extinction in the face of human exploitation (8).